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Bascio Sixth, Underkofler Seventh in 7.5k Biathlon at 2006 Paralympic Winter Games
By Diana Wright
// USOC Media Services
// March 14, 2006
SESTRIERE, Italy – The U.S. Nordic Ski Team had three athletes compete today in short distance biathlon at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games. The short distance race featured each athlete completing three 2.5K laps and two shooting stops. The athletes took five shots at each stop, with every miss resulting in a 150m penalty lap.
Monica Bascio (Evergreen, Colo.) was the highest U.S. finisher for the day, taking sixth in the women’s sitting 7.5K. Bascio finished with a time of 34:34.6 and had a total of four missed shots. The medals in the women’s sitting class were once again swept by the Ukrainians. Olena Iurkovska won the gold (28:03.4), Svitlana Tryfonova took the silver (30:31.5) and Lyudmyla Pavlenko claimed the bronze (32:34.6).
Having already competed in three races (10K biathlon, 2.5K cross-country, and the 7.5K biathlon), Bascio said that she didn’t feel quite as fresh as she would like.
“I couldn’t find my zip out there,” she said. “I just could not get going and didn’t feel very powerful. I am shifting gears and am really looking forward to the 10K and the relay.”
Kelly Underkofler (St. Paul, Minn.) finished seventh in the women’s standing race with a time of 28:48.9. The gold medal went to Alena Gorbunova of Russia (25:54.2), silver went to Anna Burmistrova of Russia (26:39.5), and bronze went to Anne Floriet of France (26:40.5).
Underkofler had a great day at the shooting range, but was disappointed in her skiing. “My legs felt really tight today and I wasn’t comfortable during the race,” she explained. “On the other hand, I am really happy with my shooting. It went much better today.”
Rounding out the results for Team USA was Dan Perkins (Syracuse, N.Y.), who finished 20th in the men’s standing race with a time of 28:34.6. Perkins struggled with his shooting, missing three shots on his first stop and all five shots on his second stop. With the 150m penalty lap for each missed shot, it cost him valuable time and energy.
The gold medal in men’s standing biathlon was won by Rustam Garifoullin of Russia (21:17.7). The silver medal went to Josef Giesen of Germany (21:18.7), and Nils Erik Ulset of Norway claimed the bronze (22:06.1).
Up next for the U.S. Nordic squad are the middle distance cross-country races. Steve Cook (Salt Lake City, Utah), who won the gold medal in the men’s standing 5K earlier in the week, will be on the prowl for more hardware in the men’s standing 10K race.
Results/Schedule of Events for U.S. Nordic Ski Team
March 11
Biathlon
Women’s 12.5K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 4th place)
Women’s 10K Sitting (Monica Bascio, 6th place)
March 12
Cross-Country
Men’s 5K Standing (Steve Cook, 1st place/Gold Medal; Dan Perkins, 26th place; Mike Crenshaw, 28th place)
Men’s 5K Sitting (Bob Balk, 11th place; Chris Klebl, 23rd place; Greg Mallory, 24th place)
Women’s 5K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 8th place)
Women’s 2.5K Sitting (Candace Cable, 8th place; Monica Bascio, 9th place)
March 14
Biathlon
Men’s 7.5K (Dan Perkins, 20th place)
Women’s 7.5K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 7th place)
Women’s 7.5K Sitting (Monica Bascio, 6th place)
March 15
Cross-Country
Men’s 10K Standing (Steve Cook, Mike Crenshaw, Dan Perkins)
Men’s 10K Sitting (Bob Balk, Chris Klebl, Greg Mallory)
Women’s 10K Standing (Kelly Underkofler)
Women’s 5K Sitting (Monica Bascio, Candace Cable)
March 17
Cross-Country
Women’s Relay (3 x 2.5K)
Men’s Relay (1 x 1.75K + 2 x 5K)
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