Rumyantseva sweeps events at Nordic Asia Cup

Russia’s Ekaterina Rumyantseva headlined the action at the IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing Asia Cup between 28 January - 1 February, winning all four events across both sports in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The 25-year-old standing skier was strong in the women’s sprint and short distance freestyle cross-country, before going on to secure victory in the sprint and middle distance biathlon.

There was further success for Russia in the men’s standing as world champion Vladislav Lekomtsev claimed first place in the sprint classic cross-country. However Lekomtsev lost to teammate Rushan Minnegulov in the middle distance freestyle.

Their teammate Aleksandr Pronkov, fresh from his first World Cup win in December 2015, won the biathlon sprint standing.

Canada’s Paralympic bronze medallist Mark Arendz broke the Russian dominance in the middle distance biathlon standing, claiming the top place on the podium, despite dropping a shot on his last loop.

The USA’s Oksana Masters enjoyed double success in the women’s sitting, with back-to-back victories in the sprint classic and short distance freestyle cross-country. Aside from exploits on the snow, rowing Paralympic bronze medallist Masters is trying to make the national cycling team for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

In the women’s biathlon sitting, Russia were back on top thanks to Svetlana Konovalova in both the sprint and middle distance.

Russia’s Aleksandr Davidovich also took both the sprint classic and short distance freestyle in the men’s sitting cross-country, whilst compatriot and six-time Paralympic champion Roman Petushkov claimed the win in the sprint biathlon sitting.

World champion Grigory Murygin completed a Russian sweep of men’s sitting events in the middle distance biathlon.

Japan’s Kazuto Takamura, guided by Yuhei Fujita, topped the podium in both the men’s sprint classic and middle distance freestyle cross-country visually impaired.

South Korea’s Bogue Choi and guide Jeongryun Seo were the victors in the men’s sprint and middle distance biathlon visually impaired.

Full results are available at IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing’s calendar and results page.

The next stop for cross-country and biathlon skiers is the World Cup in Finsterau, Germany, between 24-28 February.