Pokljuka - 19.12.2009 Russian dance in extreme conditions Russian Svetlana Slepcova was the best at today’s sprint in snowy, windy and cold conditions in Pokljuka. Despite extremely difficult conditions 23-year old did perfect job on the shooting range. She covered all 10 targets, which was more than enough for the tenth win in her career: "I'm so tired, it was a really difficult race. The conditions on the track and shooting range were very demanding. Due to new snow the track was quite soft, so I had to give my best. I was exceptionally good on the shooting range, which gave me additional energy and I’m really pleased with my result. Luck was at my side today." 30-year old Anna Bogali-Titovec took care for a double success in the Russian team. She missed one shot and finished in second place: "I didn’t think about that missed shot too much. I tried to remain concentrated and I did well. The track allowed more rest in the past. I really like the new tunnels, where athletes can warm ourselves." The German team can celebrate their first podium finish in this season. Third place was reserved for a great biathlete, who had in the past already won the total World Cup standings Magdalena Neuner. German had to take two penalty loops and was a little surprised with her success: "I thought that I will finish somewhere between 10th and 20th place due to two mistakes at the shooting range. But my coach was the whole time telling me how good I am. I’m very happy with this result because I have qualified for the Olympic games. Moreover, the whole German team is in a good mood today. We have finally managed to finish in top three. " Teja Gregorin again impressed with her excellent cross-country skiing form. Despite three penalty loops she finished in 13th place. Slovenian hero from the World Championship was even better after the first shooting. With all five targets successfully covered she was in the lead for some time: "I'm sorry that I couldn’t do better in the standing position after a great start. There are obviously major problems that cannot be eliminated overnight. We will have to sit down and think what we’re doing wrong. The track was due to these extremely difficult conditions even harder, but that was positive for me, because I was able to gain some time and places with good skiing result. " Other Slovenian female trio didn’t achieve World Cup points. Andreja Mali, who was 25th in this year’s first sprint in Oestersund, finished in 64th place: "This means only suffering not having good time. The snow was really hard. I have to make an effort in normal conditions too, but today I had a lot of difficulties with the snow. " Excelent Slovenian shooter Dijana Ravnikar was very precise in the prone shooting. She covered all five targets, but then made three mistakes in standing position: »I had problems due to the wind. The conditions were really tough. I would like to congratulate all the girls, from first to last and I would like to thank my fans for all their support.« Ravnikar finished in 72nd place. Tadeja Brankovič Likozar didn't compete in the first race in Pokljuka due to health problems, but was on the start today. She finished in 85th place: »My health is improving. I certainly lost some strength, but I expected the race to be even harder. I am satisfied with my skiing. I did what I could. But my shooting was poor. The only bright spot is that I was shooting in rhytm, which was also my goal. I will encourage Teja tomorrow.« In tomorrow's pursuit race there will be only one Slovenian among 60 biathletes. Teja Gregorin will start a few minutes after 12 hours.

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