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Repeat gold

By Donna Kemp Spangler
Deseret News Olympic specialist

      SOLDIER HOLLOW — The German women proved once again they dominate in biathlon as they won the gold in the 7.5-kilometer relay race here Monday.
      It was a repeat of the 1998 Winter Games contest in Nagano when the Germans took the gold. And just like Nagano, Norway and Russia were left fighting for silver and bronze.
      This time, Norway won the silver and Russia took the bronze.
      Norway's Liv Grete Poiree, who won a silver medal last week in the 15-kilometer event, was pleased her team moved a step closer to beating Germany.
      "To be the second Olympic champion (in the relay) is very big," she said. "Germany is strong and this is the first time we have been so close."
      Russia's team wasn't too disappointed.
      "Certainly we are happy to have the bronze," said Galina Koukleva, a 1998 Olympic sprint champion in Nagano and relay silver medallist. "We did everything to get it. We're very happy."
      The United States was in last place, 13 minutes and 21 seconds behind Germany.
      "I'm glad to be here to participate," said Andrea Nahrgang who led the women to an unfortunate slow start. "It is just disappointing to be that far behind."
      In the relay races, teams start simultaneously and get eight shots instead of the usual five to hit the targets. If they can't manage that, they must ski a penalty loop for each miss.
      Germany's Katrin Apel started the race strong but had one shooting mistake and put the team behind.
      "It seems this is not my great day," she said. "I thought the gold was gone because of me."
      Olga Pyleva, who won the gold in the 10-kilometer pursuit race Saturday, overtook Apel on the first leg of the race, tagging off to Koukleva, who missed two targets that may have cost them the silver.
      "I'm really disappointed," she said. "My shooting was downright horrible."
      Warm temperatures made skiing slushy and difficult for many of the biathletes.
      The men's 7.5-kilometer relay race gets under way at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

E-MAIL: donna@desnews.com