By Igor Leshin
The relay was the second in a row that the Belarusian squad have performed without leader Darya Domracheva, who is conserving her energy for the coming Olympics and the struggle for the Big Crystal Globe. The team comprised Nadezhda Pisareva, Lyudmila Kalinchik and Anastasia Duborezova, who are gradually improving their form (judging by the results in Oberhof). Nadezhda Skardino is also performing extremely well, raising our hopes for her success. The new line-up saw Lyudmila Kalinchik opening the relay, and Nadezhda Skardino finishing (having been starter previously). The women’s team finished with 6th place, up from 12th last time.
The fifth World Cup stage continued with individual races. Darya Domracheva, who returned after a short rest, completed three shooting ranges perfectly, but made two misses at the last, leaving her to finish second. Meanwhile, Belarusian Nadezhda Skardino took 7th place.
The Ruhpolding stage finished with the pursuit race, and Darya in second place. Hopes were high for a medal, but five missed targets left her in disappointing 12th position. Domracheva has four medals so far this season. Ms. Skardino’s precise marksmanship left her in 9th position.
