Advertisement

Sweden's Ekholm third in biathlon World Cup event

AFP/The Local
AFP/The Local - [email protected]
Sweden's Ekholm third in biathlon World Cup event

Sweden's Helena Ekholm finished third in the World Cup women's 10 kilometre biathlon pursuit in Östersund on Sunday.

Advertisement

Finland's Kaisa Mäkäräinen won the event, continuing her domination of the World Cup meet just two days after claiming the 7.5 kilometre sprint.

Mäkäräinen started with the 18.7 second winning margin she secured in Friday's sprint event, then coasted home in 31 minutes and 57 seconds thanks to another flawless display of shooting.

Germany's Miriam Gössner settled for second despite missing three shots, 1 minute and 25 seconds off the pace, while Ekholm finished third, 1:41.5 back with two penalties.

After four seasons without a win, Mäkäräinen has now bagged two victories in the space of three days and is the overall World Cup leader, overtaking Sweden's Anna-Carin Zidek, who was fourth in the pursuit.

Ekholm, previously known as Helena Jonsson until her marriage to retired biathlete David Ekholm in July, finished fifth in the sprint on Friday, with Zidek coming in ninth.

Zidek and Ekholm finished first and third respectively in the opening 15 kilometre race of the women's World Cup season in Östersund on Wednesday, with France's Marie-Laure Brunet coming in second.

Ekholm is currently second in the overall World Cup standings, followed by Zidek just a point behind. Last season's overall World Cup winner and double Olympic champion Magdalena Neuner did not compete in Östersund due to a virus.

The next stage of the World Cup series begins on Friday in Hochfilzen, Austria.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also