Austria's Christoph Sumann, Ukraine's Oksana Khvostenko Win Biathlon Titles

POKLJUKA, Slovenia (AP) - Christoph Sumann of Austria was faultless at the shooting range to win a men's biathlon World Cup 15-kilometre mass start race on Sunday, his second straight victory.

Oksana Khvostenko from Ukraine reacts in the finish area after winning a 12.5 km mass start race at the World Cup biathlon event in Pokljuka, Slovenia, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007
Oksana Khvostenko of Ukraine also hit all targets to win the women's event.

Sumann, the surprise winner of the 12.5-kilometre pursuit on Saturday, won in 38 minutes, 24.18 seconds.

He was 28.1 seconds ahead of Vincent Defrasne of France, who was also flawless on the range. Andreas Birnbacher of Germany was third, with one missed target, 49.3 back.

Germany's Michael Greis overtook Norwegian Ole Einar Bjoerndalen in the overall standings by finishing in 20th place. Bjoerndalen missed the meet to train ahead of the world championships in February.

Khvostenko won the women's mass start in 41 minutes 55.9 seconds.

Defending World Cup champion Kati Wilhelm missed three targets and came in second, 13.4 seconds off the lead. Tadeja Brankovic was third, with two missed shots, 23.5 behind.

Zina Kocher of Red Deer, Alta., finished 10th.

Wilhelm missed twice in the first shooting round but rallied from 26th position. She is now top of the overall standings after the previous leader Anna Carin Oloffson placed sixth.

Wilhelm also won the 10-kilometre pursuit on Friday.

Source: Canadian Press