|
Dec
14
|
Dunklee Places 14th in Sprint
|
By Linda Jager |
Dec 14, 2012,
12:00 AM ET
POKLJUKA, Slovenia
(December 14, 2012) - Susan Dunklee (Barton, VT) had her best race of
the 2012-13 season this morning in the IBU World Cup Women's 7.5k Sprint in
snowy Pokljuka, Slovenia. Posting a time of 23:03 for 14th place, and just one
penalty in standing, Dunklee was 53.2 seconds back from Gabriela Soukalova
(CZE) with her first career World Cup win at 22:09.8 and clean shooting. Miriam
Gossner (GER) finished second with a time of 22:11.9 and two penalties.
Nadezhda Skardino (BLR) took third posting 22:39.9 and clean shooting.
Dunklee held strong
among the top-3 throughout much of today's race, but a missed shot in standing
just barely put her out of podium contention. "14th is a super place for
me to be right now," said Dunklee. "I had a few good days of shooting
in practice this week and I think that helped me regain confidence on the
range. There was heavy snow falling during the race and our team thrives in
such challenging conditions. We have put in so much work together as a group
the last few years and are so excited to see it pay off with three women
scoring points today and starting tomorrow's Pursuit."
Finishing among today's
top-60, Dunklee will race for Team USA in Saturday's 10k Pursuit, and has a
good chance at qualifying for Sunday's Mass Start.
Sara Studebaker (Boise,
ID) finished 36the today, posting 23:51.6 with on penalty in standing. Annelies
Cook (Saranac Lake, NY) finished 40th with a time of 23:55 (1+1). Lanny
Barnes (Durango, CO) placed 92nd (26:50.9/1+2). Studebaker and Cook have also
qualified for tomorrow's 10k Pursuit. The Women's 10k Pursuit begins at 9am
(EST). Start lists and results will be posted here and a live webcast will be available at www.biathlonworld.com.
"In challenging
conditions Susan had her best race of the season," said US Biathlon CEO
Max Cobb. "Her only miss cost her a podium finish and as it was she was
only 6 seconds from the top-10. A very good sign of things to come. Also Susan
and Annelies had strong finishes, their best of the season as well. The Pursuit
competitions on Saturday will be very exciting."
Tim Burke
(Paul Smiths, NY) and Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, NY) will race in
Saturday's 12.5k Pursuit, starting 4th and 36th, respectively. The live webcast
of tomorrow's Pursuit begins at 6:45am (EST) at www.biathlonworld.com.
Saturday's start list and results are available here.