Canadian and Russian athletes enjoyed the best of the action on the first day of the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup finals in Surnadal, Norway, each winning two cross-country freestyle long distance races apiece on Tuesday (17 March).
In the men's visually impaired race over 20km, Paralympic and world champions Brian McKeever and guide Erik Carleton (48:38.5) topped the podium well ahead of Russia's Stanislav Chokhlaev and guide Evgenii Fatkhullin (53:21.3) in second. Third place went to Ukraine's Anatolii Kovalevskyi, guided by Oleksandr Mukshyn (55:00.5).
Chris Klebl, a gold medallist over 10km at Sochi 2014, secured Canada's second win in the men's sitting over 15km; a race that proved to be the day's closest contest.
The 43-year-old (40:24.0) edged out Russian world champion Aleksandr Davidovich (40:25.3) by just 1.3 seconds in a thrilling finish. Another Russian, Alexey Bychenok (41:21.8) finished third.
On good day for athletes from the Americas, the USA's Oksana Masters maintained her recent run of good form in the women's sitting over 12km. Masters (36:44.90) was in convincing form and beat home favourite Mariann Marthinsen (37:37.7) into second and Russia's Natalia Kocherova (39:14.6) into third.
Russia's two wins came through world champions Iuliia Budaleeva and Rushan Minnegulov.
Budaleeva and guide Tatiana Maltseva (43:14.9) were victorious in the women's visually impaired race over 15km and were joined on the podium by teammates Elena Remizova and guide Maksim Pirogov (44:27.5) in third. Second was Ukraine's Oksana Shyshkova and guide Lada Nesterenko (43:57.1).
Minnegulov (49:28.0) claimed the win in the men's standing over 20km beating Ukraine's Ihor Reptyukh (50.41.5) and Norway's Hakon Olsrud (52:07.8) into second and third respectively.
The women's standing over 15km was won by Ukraine's world champion in this event Oleksandra Kononova (44:04.7). Second was Canada's Brittany Hurdak (44:35.8), whilst Kononova's teammate Liudmyla Liashenko (44:49.8) was third.
Competition continues through to 22 March with middle distance classic cross-country, as well as short, pursuit and long distance biathlon.
Live results will be available at the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup page and official results at the IPC Nordic Skiing website.
For further information, please contact Lucy Dominy, IPC Public Relations and Campaigns Manager on e-mail: lucy.dominy@paralympic.org or call +49-228-2097-159. Alternatively, please visit www.paralympic.org/nordic-skiing or www.ParalympicSport.TV.
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only
Últimas Noticias
Cape Verde sprinter Keula Pereira Semedo says ‘yes’ to marriage proposal by her guide on the track
Manuel Vaz da Veiga took his opportunity with the whole world watching to go down on one knee and propose to his partner in one of the most heartwarming moments at Tokyo 2020.
Afghan taekwondo fighter Zakia Khudadadi competes in the sport’s Paralympic debut in Tokyo
Khudadadi follows teammate Hossain Rasouli, who recorded a new personal best distance in the men’s long jump T47 event on Tuesday.
Fabián Morassut, the photographer who discovered a new dimension of Paralympic athletes in Argentina and already dreams of adding Spain to his project in Paris 2024
His life was all about fashion and beauty, until one day he came across athletes who changed the focus of his lens.
U.S. wheelchair javelin world record-holder Justin Phongsavanh: “We definitely want to be recognized as athletes, before inspiration”
Phongsavanh, who was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in a parking lot in 2015, talks about the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics, his difficult road to recovery and his broader thoughts on the state of adaptive sports.
Oksana Masters Sets Sights on Tokyo - And Greater Female Athlete Representation
The eight-time Paralympic medalist in rowing, cross-country skiing and biathlon wants to add cycling to the list.
