American Sean Doherty was feeling it Saturday. And on home soil, the U.S. biathlete turned in the best result of his BMW Biathlon World Cup career. The 23-year-old two-time Olympian from New Hampshire finished 10th in the men’s pursuit World Cup event Saturday at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center.
"I am very happy to crack that top-10 barrier today," said Doherty. "Conditions were tough but we had great skis, which was huge."
Doherty’s first top-10 finish was among the highlights of Saturday’s pursuit events between the men and women at the World Cup stop in Midway. Quentine Fillon Maillet of France won the gold in the men’s pursuit, while Norway’s Velte Christiansen, who took first in the men’s sprint Friday, finished second overall. Maillet’s French teammate, Simon Desthieux finished third.
The win at Soldier Hollow was Maillet’s second career World Cup victory.
“I’m very happy today,” he said. “My big goal today was to shoot clean.”
In the women’s pursuit, the German team had a big day as Denise Herrmann won gold and teammate Franziska Hildebrand won silver. Finland’s Kaisa Makarainen won bronze. The win was Herrmann’s third career world cup win. The top finishing American in the women’s pursuit was Olympian Susan Dunklee, who finished 26th overall.
“It’s an amazing feeling here,” Herrmann explained. “Every time it’s nice when you win, but when you have a sunny day and also double victory for Germany, it’s much more fun.”
The last day of the BMW Biathlon World Cup is Sunday at Soldier Hollow in Midway, where the single mixed relay and the mixed relay events are scheduled to get started at 10:10 a.m.