|
 |
German biathlon women win relay
Associated Press
POKLJUKA, Slovenia — A powerful German foursome combined excellent cross-country skiing with accurate shooting Friday to dominate a women's 4x7.5-kilometer Biathlon World Cup relay.
It was their second victory of the season.
Katrin Apel, Andrea Henkel, Janet Klein and Kati Wilhelm crossed the line in one hour, 40 minutes 21.2 seconds to leave Norway and Ukraine the minor placings.
Norway, last year's World Cup winner and racing with Liv Grete Poiree, Gro Marit Kristiansen, Linda Tjorhom and Gunn Margit Andreassen, were 32.8 seconds behind. They slipped when Kristiansen was forced into a penalty loop after missing targets.
Ukraine, with Olena Zubrilova, Olena Petrova, Nina Lemesh and Tetyana Vodopyanova was third, one minute, 3.9 seconds off.
The team performed well on skis, but their shooting was off. They needed 12 extra shots at the range.
Russia put in a good bid for third after the final shooting round. It almost edged Ukraine until Vodopyanova outclassed Russian Albina Akhatova, crossing the line 10 seconds ahead of the Russians.
|
|
December 14, 2001
|
