Magdalena Neuner (GER) won her second race of the week in Antholz, Italy, overcoming a single miss to claim victory in the 7.5km sprint. Neuner has been able to overcome poor shooting with her dominating skiing in recent weeks, but today she was solid on the range, and ended the day with a 13.2 second victory over teammate Andrea Henkel.
Sandrine Bailly (FRA) took 3rd, 28.6 seconds back. Both Henkel and Bailly shot clean.
“I hope that I am past all of my problems,” commented Neuner. “I am feeling strong now and relaxed at the shooting range. That is very important for me. I am fit and have a good shape and hope to have this same shape in the Olympic Games.”
Canada’s Zina Kocher overcame a stumble in her second lap to finish 15th.
The 27-year-old combined strong skiing with a nearly perfect day on the range where she missed just one shot to clock a time of 21:34.3.
“I was extremely frustrated with my shooting performance in the individual competition, and was very focused on turning it around today,” said Kocher, of Red Deer, Alta. “I have really been able to take what I accomplish in training and let it happen with confidence in a race.”
Kocher’s trip on the second lap going into the final uphill before the range, which cost her nearly 20 seconds, and a spot in the top-10.
“That was extremely frustrating as it was completely out of my control, and cost me a lot of time,” said Kocher. “But, I am satisfied that I regained my composure and focus for the standing and cleaned this bout.”
Racing continues tomorrow with the men’s sprint.
