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Belarus’ Varabei 4th in mass start, Smolski loses lead at Commonwealth Cup in Sochi

Maksim Varabei. An archive photo

MINSK, 14 February (BelTA) – Belarusian biathlete Maksim Varabei made it into the top 10 for the third time this week at the fifth leg of the Commonwealth Cup in Sochi, Russia, BelTA has learned.

Twenty-nine of the season’s best biathletes took part in the mass start race, including six Belarusians. Across four shooting ranges, Maksim Varabei recorded a total of three misses and finished fourth, finishing 17 seconds behind bronze medalist Eduard Latypov. Earlier, Maksim placed tenth in the sprint and sixth in the pursuit race. First and second mass start places were claimed by Russians Kirill Bazhin and Karimulla Khalili, respectively.

Belarusian athlete Mikita Labastau finished just outside the top ten. Anton Smolski had to complete four penalty loops and finished only 16th, with Dzmitry Lazouski right behind him. Ivan Tulatsin came 18th, and Aleksandr Golyak finished 27th. Smolski has lost his lead in the overall Commonwealth Cup standings, with the yellow jersey being taken over by Latypov.

On 14 February, women will also begin competing for medals in the mass start. The program of the fifth leg of the Commonwealth Biathlon Cup in Sochi will conclude on 15 February with team sprints.

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