MOSCOW, January 8 (R-Sport) — Russia’s women stormed to gold in the relay at the fourth stage of the biathlon World Cup on Wednesday, edging out host team Germany in a dramatic duel in Ruhpolding.
Olga Vilukhina was the star for the Russians, beating Germany’s Franziska Hildebrand by 6.2 seconds on the final stage, which the two started almost exactly level.
Veteran Olga Zaitseva had been disappointing on the second leg for Russia before Irina Starykh put her team back into contention for the win.
Norway won its second women's relay bronze of the season after Tora Berger powered past Ukraine's Valj Semerenko on the last stage.
It is the third women’s relay this season but the first time that Olympic host Russia has medaled and comes just less than one month before the Winter Games opening ceremony in Sochi.
The Germans, who rested regular relay racer Miriam Goessner on Wednesday, have one gold and two silver medals in women’s relay this season, while Ukraine has one gold and one silver. Germany leads the overall women's relay standings, with Ukraine second and Russia third.
