Biathlete Kristina Reztsova said on Match TV that she gave all her strength in the sprint at the third stage of the Alfa-Bank Russian Biathlon Cup in Demino (Yaroslavl region).

On Friday, Reztsova took third place in the race. The 29-year-old athlete made two mistakes and in the fight for the bronze medal was able to surpass the result of Victoria Slivko.

“I talked to my daughters yesterday, and the eldest always tells me: “Mom, only first place.” And then he slows down and adds: “The second, the third are also possible.” When I left the line and they told me that I was fighting for the top three, I had my daughter’s words in my head: “Mom, I need a medal. At least third place.” I just gave everything I could. Every meter I thought through how and what course to take, where to add. I gave everything.

It was a very difficult race, functionally. My legs were pounding, the track was tough, so it was hard. I’m very glad that I managed to endure it. This is truly a hard-won medal,” Reztsova said on Match TV.

Natalia Shevchenko won the women’s sprint.

On Saturday, the women’s and men’s pursuit races will take place at the Russian Cup stage. Watch live broadcasts of biathlon competitions on Match TV, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.

Natalia Shevchenko won the sprint race at the third stage of the Alfa-Bank Russian Biathlon Cup in Demino (Yaroslavl region).

Shevchenko covered the 7.5 km distance in 19 minutes 37.3 seconds, making no mistakes at two shooting ranges. Second place went to Anastasia Khalili (0 misses, lag – 22.1 seconds), who returned to the competition after illness. The top three were completed by Kristina Reztsova (2 penalties, +47.4 seconds).

On Saturday, the Russian Cup will feature women’s and men’s pursuit races.

Watch live broadcasts of the Alfa-Bank Russian Biathlon Championship races on the Match TV and Match! Arena”. You can also follow the progress of the competition on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.

The overwhelming majority of biathletes from Russia who changed their citizenship dreamed of achieving significant results at international competitions. In fact, their performance leaves much to be desired.

They even rejoice at finishing in last place!

Left for international starts

The backbone of the Moldavian biathlon team has been made up of former Russian athletes for many years. This season, the men’s relay four consists exclusively of ex-Russians. Pavel Magazeev, Andrey Usov, Maxim Makarov have been representing this country since 2020. A couple of years earlier, Mikhail Usov joined the team.

All athletes have the same transition story, give or take. They showed good results in juniors; Magazeev was a world champion, but at the adult level they failed to make it into the Russian national team. Changing citizenship was a way to try my hand at the highest level.

Under the new flag, the guys sometimes even showed good results, both in individual races and in team races. Mikhail Usov was once in the top 4, and Magazeev was repeatedly in the top six at the IBU Cup. In 2024, Makarov was one step away from a medal at the European Championships in single mixed doubles.

But lately the ex-Russians have not been particularly pleased with their high results at international competitions, especially the relay four. The last time the team simply reached the finish line was in January 2024, when it finished 21st at the stage in Ruhpolding. Then we even managed to overtake our rivals from Bulgaria and South Korea.

Maxim Makarov / Photo: © Kevin Voigt / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Local success after two years of waiting

This season, the Moldavian team was represented in the men’s relay only at the stage in Oberhof, where it was removed during the race for being a lap behind. Only the disqualification of the Bulgarians and the withdrawal of the Austrians allowed Moldova not to be in last place in the protocol.

In Ruhpolding, the coaching staff also entered the team into the men’s relay. This time the ex-Russians finally reached the finish line. The Moldavian team finished last out of 22 teams, but still finished. This fact caused joy among representatives of the coaching staff and the federation, who soberly assess their capabilities. Andrei Usov, who closed the relay, was also pleased with the finish. The athlete warmly greeted the stands, which responded with loud applause. Last place and a seven-minute gap from the victorious French could not spoil the small reason for joy.