Five medals for Belarus at PARI Commonwealth Cup in Raubichi

Belarusian biathletes clinched five (one gold, two silver and two bronze) medals on the home ground.

Dzinara Alimbekava-Smolskaya shot clean to secure gold in the women’s pursuit.

The PyeongChang Olympic champion also collected silver in the women's sprint.

Her husband Anton Smolski graced the podium three times with silver in the men’s pursuit and bronze medals in the sprint and mass start.

Head coach of the Belarusian biathlon national team Oleg Ryzhenkov summarized the results of the PARI Commonwealth Cup legs in Raubichi: 

“Both men and women did their best. At the two legs of the Commonwealth Cup in Raubichi, our athletes won ten medals: seven in the men's events, and three by Dzinara. I think the result is excellent.”

Oleg Ryzhenkov also spoke about the nearest plans. The team will stay in Raubichi for a training camp. In February they will take part in the Belarusian Biathlon Championship. Ahead of the final leg of the Commonwealth Cup, which is due in Tyumen, Russia in March, the biathletes will compete at the leg of the Russian Biathlon Championship in Izhevsk. After the multi-stage Belarusian-Russian tournament they will wrap up the season with another leg of the Russian Biathlon Championship in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Commonwealth Cup photos

After five legs of the Commonwealth Cup Dzinara Alimbekava-Smolskaya leads the women’s total score with 1,448 points. Second goes Russia’s Irina Kazakevich with 1,386 points. Victoria Slivko of Russia is third with 1,378 points. 

Anton Smolski of Belarus goes first in the men’s total score with 1,481 points. He is followed by Russian biathletes Eduard Latypov (1,457) and Anton Babikov (1,372). 

There are three more Belarusians in the top-10: Dzmitry Lazouski goes fourth (1,310), Stsiapan Danilau - eighth (1,148), Maksim Varabei - ninth (1,137). 

The sixth leg of the Commonwealth Cup will be held at the Pearl of Siberia center in Tyumen on 9-12 March. 

Press service of the NOC of Belarus 

Photos by the NOC of Belarus