OSLO, Norway (February 5, 2012) – Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, NY) led Team USA with an 8th place finish in today’s 15K Mass Start in Holmenkollen. Posting a time of 41:44.1 (0+0+2+1), Burke was 1:00.0 back from World Cup leader Emil Hegle Svendsen (NOR) winning at 40:44.1 (0+1+1+0). Andreas Birnbacher (GER) took second with a time of 40:50.4 and clean shooting. Evgenly Garanichev (RUS) was third posting 41:01.9 (0+0+1+1). Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, NY) finished 14th (42:32.3/0+1+1+2).

 

“After yesterday’s race I felt very confident that I could be up there again today,” said Burke.  “I felt very relaxed with my shooting, but I struggled a little with the back wind in both standing stages.  My biggest problem in standing shooting is that I tend to rock forward sometimes so when the wind picks up from the left side like today, I really have to fight.”  

 

“I felt totally in control on the skis today. It was no problem to follow the others, and I actually thought about going to the front to push the pace but I did not want to get overly aggressive before standing. I am looking forward to Kontiolahti because I feel like I am in a good flow now,” he added.

 

"I'm happy with a top-15 of course, but I'm definitely a disappointed in my last shooting stage," explained Bailey.  "I missed my last two shots and that really hurt. I felt good skiing and I don't think that staying up in front took anything away from my focus in the shooting. I just wasn't able to pull it together for the last stage. It's really frustrating, but also motivating - I know I can be in the running for the podium! It's just a matter of putting the shooting together."

 

Team USA’s men now sit  8th overall in the Nation’s Cup rankings, and the U.S. women are now ranked 12th. Extended results from the Men’s  15K Mass Start are available here. Team USA now travels to Kontiolahti, Finland for the 8th stop of the E.ON IBU World Cup series. Racing begins on Friday, Februray 10th, with the Sprint events. For a complete schedule please click here.