The winner of the women's sprint race in the World Cup Final -2009/10 became Iana Romanova (Russia). The second place has Marie Laure Brunet (France), the third - Helena Jonsson (Sweden).

     The tone to the race was given by Magdalena Neuner and Simone Hauswald (Germany), the main candidates for the win in the overall World Cup and in the struggle for the small crystal globe. The three times winner of the previous stage in Holmenkolene Simone Hauswald shot clean prone, but missed ones standing, meanwhile her teammate Magdalena Neuner missed three times (1 +2). Nevertheless Hauswald and Neuner were leading till the finish of Marie Laure Brunet who showed us good running and shooting.

     Finally excellent shooting was the key to the podium – the result of Simone Hauswald was beaten by the owner of the grand crystal globe Helena Jonsson and Iana Romanova (Russia). After the second shooting Romanova was ahead on eleven seconds and could save it till the final loop. The stands met the winner with the great applause.

     The winner of women's sprint race Iana Romanova was awarded by the Governor of Ugra Natalia Komarova, who shared her impressions on the first start of World Cup Final: «The first competition day brought the first victory to our athletes. I congratulate Iana Romanova with her beautiful finish. I attend women's sprint race for the first time and I am impressed. The spectators supported the athletes. Today not only fans of Ugra came to the stadium but the visitors from all over the world who were gathered here because of sport, excitement and expectations of the wins. Everyone knows that all the roads of the biathlon fans lead to Khanty-Mansiysk. And we do not intend to pass the sport's position in the region. We will do our best for biathlon to be one of the properties of Ugra and for people to have a spectacular show».

     Simone Hauswald being the forth has retained the first place in the overall World Cup in sprint and won the small crystal globe in this discipline being ahead of Magdalena Neuner on 11 points.

     Iana Romanova (Russia)

     - Three last races in Holmenkolene were rather successful for me. In two of them I was in the flower ceremony what itself was very important for me. Every time when I shot clean and didn’t stand on the prize podium I was upset. The fact that I was close to this had already been good. I wanted to manage with the shooting and did my best in running. At the final loop my coach said that I was ahead on eleven seconds. I was surprised. And only on the finish in spite of the win I realized that I wasn’t absolutely ready to it. I devote it to my parents and coaches.

     Marie Laure Brunet (France)

     - I understood that the track would not be easy for me and I should do my best running and shoot clean to win. After the first shooting I was the leader and my coach said me that if I shot clean I would be a winner. I tried very hard and absolutely pleasured with the result.

     Helena Jonsson (Sweden)

     -I think that the race was great and I am happy that I was on the price podium because I hadn’t already been there for a long time.

     Press Centre