The first sunny day of this past weekend’s three-day race series in Hochfilzen, Austria, came at the very end – the women’s and men’s 10 and 12.5 k pursuits. It was an exciting day of racing, but spectators were also simply thrilled to be out in the warm sun with great views of the Tirolian Alps. Here are some snaps from the day.
JP Le Guellec (CAN) leads Dominik Windisch (ITA) out of the range.
Teja Gregorin (SLO), Franziska Preuss (GER), and Jana Gerekova (SVK).
Lars Berger (NOR) hits the first climb still in the lead.
The men’s field heads towards the big climb.
Martin Fourcade (FRA) enters the range the final time, nonchalant.
Synnove Solemdal (NOR) and Juliya Dzhyma (UKR), eventual 1-2 finishers.
Martin Fourcade (FRA).
A group of men chase early-race leader Lars Berger of Norway.
Anton Shipulin (RUS) leads a pack.
spectators watch as Selina Gasparin (SUI) and Veronika Vitkova (CZE) approach.
Simon Hallenbarter (SUI) and Bjorn Ferry (SWE).
Gabriela Soukalova (CZE).
Coaches at the top of the course’s biggest climb.
Zina Kocher (CAN).
Selina Gasparin (SUI) and Veronika Vitkova (CZE) on their first loop, still in the lead.
spectators at the top of the course.
Gabriela Soukalova (CZE) and Marie Laure Brunet (FRA).
Daniel Mesotitsch (AUT), Fredrik Lindstrom (SWE), and Jakov Fak (SLO).
Juliya Dzhyma (UKR).
Martin Fourcade (FRA) racing earlier this season in Hochfilzen, Austria. Today he turned in a strong anchor performance to help the French men to a World Cup relay win.
Tim Burke (USA) and Andrejs Rastorgujevs (LAT).
Elise Ringen (NOR).
Martin Fourcade (FRA) takes a bow.
Vita and Valj Semerenko (UKR) with Olga Zaitseva (RUS).
Men snake their way uphill.
Selina Gasparin (SUI), Veronika Vitkova (CZE), and Irina Starykh (RUS) shooting in the second stage.
Megan Imrie (CAN).
Megan Imrie (CAN).
Selina Gasparin (SUI) and Veronika Vitkova (CZE).
Brendan Green (CAN, middle) on lap one.
Irina Starykh racing in Hochfilzen, Austria, last December, is one of three Russian biathletes caught using EPO since December 2013.
Andrejs Rastorgujevs (LAT).
The top four finishers from the women’s sprint attack one of the first hills on the course.
Veronika Vitkova (CZE) and Krystyna Palka (POL).
Simon Schempp (GER).
The women’s field hits a downhill.
Checking out the views.
Lars Berger (NOR).
Dominik Landertinger (AUT), Ondrej Moravec (CZE), and Brendan Green (CAN).
Tora Berger (NOR).
Lars Berger (NOR) leads teammate Emil Hegle Svendsen.
Hometown spectators brought an Austrian flag.
Christoph Sumann (AUT).
Anastasiya Kuzmina (SVK).
Team staff wait for racers to arrive on the range.
![Checking out the views.](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/12/view-from-the-top.jpg")
