Punctuating Currier’s outstanding performance, Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, NY) posted an 11th place finish (28.00.9/0+2), followed by Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, NY) in 21st (28:35.7/0+2), and Jay Hakkinen (Kasilof, AK) in 31st (29:03.9/0+2). All four men will compete in tomorrow’s Pursuit.
Team USA’s men now sit 9th in the overall IBU Nation’s Cup standings, while Bailey leads Team USA’s men at 15th in the IBU overall men’s World Cup standings.
“I think today was a very good example of professionalism and organization,” said Currier. “The skis were fast, the coaches were there and everybody did their part, and I think that really showed today. All the work we’ve done in the past year came together and worked smoothly, and that was evident with today’s results all around.”
"Today was one of the most difficult days of biathlon I can remember," said Bailey. "It was extremely windy and the course was really inconsistent due to falling new snow throughout the race. We are all extremely happy with how the team performed given these trying conditions. And Russell's performance is really impressive. To come in and place sixth in the first World Cup Sprint he's competed in this season deserves a lot of credit. I've trained with Russ for a long time and I know how hard he works every day in training. We are all looking forward to an exciting day tomorrow with four US guys starting in the Top-31!"
“It was great to be part of such a strong team effort today. Personally, I was very happy to get back on track with a solid result after many sub par performances. I still don't feel like I am in my best shape, but I hope to save that for World Championships,” said Burke.
“What an amazing day for Russell! All those years of hard work finally paid off in one fantastic race with one fantastic biathlon performance,” said U.S. Biathlon High Performance Director Bernd Eisenbichler. “Looking at the team’s result, I can not remember a better one than today, which is even more impressive in these challenging conditions. Russell is the fourth of our men to finish in top-10 this season, which shows how deep and strong our men’s team is this year.”
“They did a great job at the shooting range today in the windy and tough conditions, and they also did a good job on the track. The techs did a good job on the skis. It was a super team performance with an outstanding result,” added Eisenbichler.
“Russell Currier had the race of his life today, which coupled with his IBU Cup results this season, prove he is one of the best in the world,” said US Biathlon Men’s National Team Coach Armin Auchentaller. " We are pleased that all four of our men earned World Cup points today. The focus is now on tomorrow’s Pursuit and we hope for some more good results.”
"This was a breathtaking performance by Russell Currier who until today had never finished in the Top-50," said US Biathlon CEO Max Cobb. "As a team we have never had a better day! Russell is the fourth man on the team to finish Top-10 this season - that is depth and today Russ and the other three all finished top-31. As a team we have never had a better day! It will be a very exciting pursuit race tomorrow."
World Cup racing continues in Nove Mesto tomorrow Team USA’s women competing in the 10K pursuit beginning at 12:45 (CET). Susan Dunklee (Barton, VT) will start in 45th position, Annalies Cook (Saranac Lake, NY) in 51st, and Sara Studebaker (Boise, ID) in 54th.
Team USA’s men follow in the 12.5K Pursuit at 14:30 (CET). Watch both races live at http://www5.biathlonworld.com/en/. Extended results from today’s 10K Sprint are available at http://services.biathlonresults.com/results.aspx?RaceId=BT1112SWRLCP05SMSP