Biathlete Avvakumova fails to finish 10-kilometer pursuit

Ekaterina Avvakumova competes in the women's 10-kilometer pursuit at the National Biathlon Centre in Zhangjiakou, China on Sunday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Korea's Ekaterina Avvakumova failed to finish the women's 10-kilometer pursuit biathlon on Sunday after being lapped within the first four kilometers.

Avvakumova started the race in 46th place, but struggled with shooting in inclement conditions at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre in Zhangjiakou, China.

With a combined seven penalties on the first two rounds of shooting, Avvakumova dropped back to 55th place and was lapped before completing the first four kilometers of the race.

In pursuit competitions in both biathlon and alpine skiing, competitors who fall too far behind are removed from the competition to avoid overlapping or the competition taking too long. In biathlon, where overlapping could also lead to clogging up spots on the range for athletes further into the race, this is especially important.

The 10-kilometer pursuit was Avvakumova's third of the Beijing Games and the first that she has failed to finish. She previously finished 73rd in the 15-kilometer individual and 49th in the 7.5-kilometer sprint.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]