Akimova and Andersen take the wins in IBU Cup sprints

The sprint competitions in Arber, Germany were dominated by the Russians and Norwegians. Returning from the maternity leave, Russia's Tatiana Akimova won the women's 7.5 km sprint with one penalty with a finishing time of 22:30.7. Norway’s Aleksander Fjeld Andersen clears both shooting stages and taking first place in front of his younger brother Filip Andersen with his time of 24:58.1 as the top result of the day.

Women's sprint

With all the top three athletes starting the competition in the second half of the field, the suspense was held until the very end. Only the last minutes of the competition confirmed the podium of the day giving Russia a big reason to celebrate. Having had a long break, Akimova returned with a triumph.

"I had a break after giving a birth to my daughter, so now I am very glad to be back and to have my first win. I am satisfied with my shape and will try to show stable results in the next competitions." - Tatiana Akimova

Second and third place was also taken by the Russian team. Valeriia Vasnetcova finished in second place with 2 penalties, only 9.8 seconds behind her teammate.

Anastasia Shevchenko, 2020 IBU Junior WCH Sprint and Pursuit Gold medalist rounded off the podium in third place, 23 seconds behind the winner, missing one target in standing

A German surprise, Marion Deigentesch finished fourth with one penalty, 27.1 behind Akimova. French teammates Lou Jeanmonnot with one penalty and Gilonne Guigonnat, shooting clean, finished fifth and sixth, 27.2 and 29 seconds back respectively.

Men's sprint

After having competed successfully in the World Cup in Hochfilzen, Aleksander Fjeld Andersen took the win today. Untraditionally, men's sprint competition was held on 2.5K loops instead of the usual 3.3K loops presenting a challenge to the athletes. The winner admits having had a hard time on the tracks.

“It is fun to have my brother here with me and to share the top places with him. It was a tough start with the double, 5k loop and not the best day on the track, but good enough to win."

With one penalty and only 11.9 seconds behind his big brother, Filip Andersen finished second, making the podium in his first ever international senior level competition.

Sivert Guttorm Bakken completed the Norwegian-ruled podium in third place, with one penalty, 18.8 behind Andersen.

With clean shooting, 28.8 seconds back, Italy's Daniele Cappellari finished fourth. Fifth and sixth places went to Russia’s Said Karimulla Kahlili and Semen Suchilov. Khalili had one penalty in prone, finishing 37.7 second back; Suchilov with one missed standing target in standing finished 40.6 seconds back.