Domracheva claims gold at IBU Women 12.5K Mass Start

MINSK, 18 February (BelTA) – Belarus’ Darya Domracheva claimed the Women’s 12.5K Mass Start gold at the 2013 IBU World Championships in Nove Mesto on 17 February, BelTA has learnt.

The leader of the Belarusian team completed the 12.5km-race in 35:54.5, with two penalties. In the first prone stage Darya Domracheva had one penalty. The Belarusian was second before the second prone stage but cleared it and took the lead going into the first standing stage where she also shot successfully. However, the second standing stage proved to be a drama for Darya Domracheva as she failed to clear it earning another penalty. Norway's Tora Berger was 1.5km behind Domracheva but the Belarusian did well and made it to the finish line first claiming her second career gold medal at the worlds.

Tora Berger finished second, with two penalties, 8.7 seconds back. Poland’s Monika Hojnisz took the bronze, with one penalty, 27.6 seconds back.

Another Belarusian Nadezhda Skardino finished in the 26th place, 3:01.1 back with three penalties.

Darya Domracheva’s gold was the first at the 2013 IBU World Championships. The medal standings are topped by Norway with seven gold and two silver medals. Norway is followed by France (one gold and four silver medals) and Ukraine (one gold, one silver and three bronze).