Oksana Masters Returns to the Top of the Podium at IBU World Cup Notschrei

The second IBU Para Biathlon World Cup of the season opened January 8 in Notschrei, Germany, with Oksana Masters delivering a milestone moment for Team USA. Competing in heavy snowfall, fog, and gusting winds at the Schwarzwald Nordic Center, Masters earned gold in the Women’s Sitting 12.5km Individual marking her first World Cup victory post-injury. In such challenging shooting conditions, this was a confidence boost with the Paralympic Winter Games less than two months away. 

Masters backed up her opening-day performance once again standing atop the podium after the Women’s Sitting Sprint Pursuit. After finishing first in the qualification race, Masters lead in the final, navigating variable weather and shooting penalties to secure a gold medal with a 14:55.1 finish time. Her performance across both races showed consistency and sharpness as we enter the final stretch of the season. 

Dani Aravich also represented Team USA this past weekend in the Women’s Standing category. Aravich placed fifth in the 12.5km Individual before advancing through qualification and finishing fourth in the Sprint Pursuit. With only one World Cup stop remaining before Milano Cortina, members of Team USA will compete in Jakuszyce, Poland, January 19-25, in their final opportunity to fine-tune racing and shooting under the pressure of competition ahead of the Paralympic Winter Games which open March 6. 

Thursday – 12.5km Sprint 

GOLD 
Oksana Masters – Women’s Sitting 

Other Team USA results: 
Dan Aravich – 5th, Women’s Sitting 
 

Saturday – Sprint Pursuit 

GOLD 
Oksana Masters – Women’s Sitting 

Other Team USA results: 
Dan Aravich – 4th, Women’s Sitting 

Complete results can be found on the International Biathlon Union website.