Anastasiya Kuzmina has successfully defended her Olympic biathlon title in the women’s sprint, following up her historic gold from 2010 with a second one.
Kuzmina became the first Winter Olympic gold medalist from Slovakia when she won four years ago in Vancouver, and today, she topped the podium once again after posting a time of 21:06.8 – almost 20 seconds faster than silver medalist Olga Vilukhina of Russia (21:26.7). The bronze went to Ukraine’s Vita Semerenko (21:28.5).
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As for the U.S., Susan Dunklee had been considered an outside medal contender going into Sochi. But a medal wasn’t to be for the Vermonter, who finished 14th with one missed shot in the second shooting range (standing technique). Three more Americans – Sara Studebaker, Annalies Cook and Hannah Dreissigacker – all finished outside the Top 40.
WOMEN’S BIATHLON – 7.5km SPRINT
1. Anastasiya Kuzmina (SLO), 21:06.8
2. Olga Vilukhina (RUS), 21:26.7
3. Vita Semerenko (UKR), 21:28.5
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14. Susan Dunklee (USA), 21:48.3
44. Sara Studebaker (USA), 22:59.5
53. Annalies Cook (USA), 23:23.4
65. Hannah Dreissigacker (USA), 23:55.0