Kink and Soerum win in the Short Individual in Martell

Julia Kink of Germany, still only 19, and Vebjoern Soerum of Norway won in the Short Individual in Martell-Val Martello.

For Kink, it was a first-ever win in the IBU Cup. Soerum triumphed for the sixth time.

Kink wins a thriller

Kink missed once in the first prone and was 34th before she built her way to the top. She won in 42:11.8. Her teammate Emily Schumann, also with 19/20, finished second, just 0.8 seconds behind the winner. It was a career-first podium for Schumann. Third place went to Stina Nilsson of Sweden. She shot 18/20 and finished third, 3.5 seconds behind Kink.

The Winner’s Words - Julia Kink

It took a focused performance on the shooting range to be in the race for the top spots today. I worked hard on my shooting during the Christmas break and hit 19 targets. I actually didn't feel too strong on the skis, but I gave it all in the final kilometre. It feels great to be the IBU Cup winner!

Watch 12.5km Women Short Individual Highlights

Maren Kirkeeide of Norway, with two misses, finished fourth, 21.4 seconds behind Kink and 23.2 seconds ahead of her compatriot Emily Aagheim Kalkenberg in fifth place. Martin Trabucchi of Italy, with 19/20, achieved her first-ever IBU Cup Flower ceremony finish in sixth place, 54.1 seconds behind the winner.

With Jeanne Richard at the BMW IBU World Cup in Oberhof, Jenny Enodd of Norway, who finished 10th today, took the lead in the Total Score standings.

Soerum brings World Cup level to Martell

Coming to the IBU Cup after he spent Trimester 1 in the BMW IBU World Cup, where he also collected a career-first podium in the Sprint of Oestersund, Soerum, shooting 18/20, won in 15km Men Short Individual in 42:36.2.

Mats Oeverby, the leader after the fourth shooting, finished second, 7.4 seconds behind Soerum. Isak Frey of Norway, with two misses, finished third, 45.2 seconds back. It was the fifth IBU Cup podium of the season for Oeverby and the second podium of his career for Frey.

The Winner's Words - Vebjoern Soerum

It was a tough race with very demanding tracks. The second miss demanded a strong push in the final lap. It turned out well. The level is very high, and it is always nice to beat my teammates. I can boast about my win in the hotel the whole afternoon.

Watch 15km Men Short Individual Highlights

Daniel Riethmueller of Germany, the fastest skier of the day, finished fourth, 58.6 seconds behind the winner from Norway. Riethmueller missed three shots. Clean-shooting Patrick Jakob of Austria finished fifth, 1:34.5 minutes behind. Home athlete Daniele Cappellari, shooting 19/20, completed the Flower podium in sixth place, 1:49.6 minutes back.

Johan Olav Botn, competing at the BMW IBU World Cup in Oberhof, remained atop the Total Score standings.