WSOC: Bulgarian victory in men’s Middle race

WSOC: Bulgarian victory in men’s Middle race

The last starter won the men’s Middle race today, just as happened in the men’s Sprint. This time it was the Bulgarian Stanimir Belomazhev who took the gold, 15 seconds faster than Erik Rost, Sweden.

On another day with good skiing conditions, the course for the men’s race was very technical and produced a lot of mistakes. Also some disqualifications, which included the Russians Kirill Veselov who failed to punch at the control just after the stadium passage, and Sergey Gorlanov. Erik Rost set a good time with just one early mistake, but it was last starter Stanimir Belomazhev who had the best race of all. His route choice selection was not perfect, but enough to take gold for Bulgaria by 15 seconds. Bronze medallist today was the Norwegian Lars Moholdt, 1.06 down on Belomazhev’s time.

Sprint gold medallist Ulrik Nordberg was sixth today, and the Czech team will be pleased to have two top-ten placings, with Jakub Skoda the best in seventh place.

The women have had a rest day today, but all the athletes will be in action again tomorrow in the mass-start Long Distance races. The women’s race starts at 1500 local time and the men’s at 1545.

Full results from today are on IOF Eventor and the event website www.wsoc2017.ru.

Leading results

1. Stanimir Belomazhev BUL 33:48
2. Erik Rost SWE 34:03
3. Lars Hol Moholdt NOR 34:54
4. Andrey Grigoriev RUS 35:03
5. Andrey Lamov RUS 35:37
6. Ulrik Nordberg SWE 35:45
7. Jakub Skoda CZE 35:47
8. Ville Petteri Saarela FIN 35:52
9. Radek Laciga CZE 35:59
10. Jyri Uusitalo FIN 36:01