Canadian and Russian athletes enjoyed the best of the action on the first day of the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup finals in Surnadal, Norway, each winning two cross-country freestyle long distance races apiece on Tuesday (17 March).
In the men's visually impaired race over 20km, Paralympic and world champions Brian McKeever and guide Erik Carleton (48:38.5) topped the podium well ahead of Russia's Stanislav Chokhlaev and guide Evgenii Fatkhullin (53:21.3) in second. Third place went to Ukraine's Anatolii Kovalevskyi, guided by Oleksandr Mukshyn (55:00.5).
Chris Klebl, a gold medallist over 10km at Sochi 2014, secured Canada's second win in the men's sitting over 15km; a race that proved to be the day's closest contest.
The 43-year-old (40:24.0) edged out Russian world champion Aleksandr Davidovich (40:25.3) by just 1.3 seconds in a thrilling finish. Another Russian, Alexey Bychenok (41:21.8) finished third.
On good day for athletes from the Americas, the USA's Oksana Masters maintained her recent run of good form in the women's sitting over 12km. Masters (36:44.90) was in convincing form and beat home favourite Mariann Marthinsen (37:37.7) into second and Russia's Natalia Kocherova (39:14.6) into third.
Russia's two wins came through world champions Iuliia Budaleeva and Rushan Minnegulov.
Budaleeva and guide Tatiana Maltseva (43:14.9) were victorious in the women's visually impaired race over 15km and were joined on the podium by teammates Elena Remizova and guide Maksim Pirogov (44:27.5) in third. Second was Ukraine's Oksana Shyshkova and guide Lada Nesterenko (43:57.1).
Minnegulov (49:28.0) claimed the win in the men's standing over 20km beating Ukraine's Ihor Reptyukh (50.41.5) and Norway's Hakon Olsrud (52:07.8) into second and third respectively.
The women's standing over 15km was won by Ukraine's world champion in this event Oleksandra Kononova (44:04.7). Second was Canada's Brittany Hurdak (44:35.8), whilst Kononova's teammate Liudmyla Liashenko (44:49.8) was third.
Competition continues through to 22 March with middle distance classic cross-country, as well as short, pursuit and long distance biathlon.
Live results will be available at the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup page and official results at the IPC Nordic Skiing website.
For further information, please contact Lucy Dominy, IPC Public Relations and Campaigns Manager on e-mail: lucy.dominy@paralympic.org or call +49-228-2097-159. Alternatively, please visit www.paralympic.org/nordic-skiing or www.ParalympicSport.TV.
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