The third day of the IBU Youth and Junior World Championships in Arber featured the men’s sprint races, with Slovakia celebrating its second gold medal of the event and Poland claiming a junior men’s gold for the first time since 1973.

Youth Men Sprint

Following the success of his teammate Michaela Straková in Sunday’s Individual, Markus Sklenarik delivered another victory for Slovakia. His triumph was built on flawless shooting, which proved decisive against Saturday’s Individual winner Rihards Lozbers. The Latvian missed three targets but secured another medal thanks to the fastest ski time of the day. Germany’s Hannes Lipfert finished third, missing once in prone before shooting clean in standing to claim bronze.

Junior Men Sprint

Starting with bib five, Grzegorz Galica set the benchmark early and, despite two shooting errors, moved into the lead and stayed there until the finish. He became the first Polish Junior Men World Champion in 53 years, following in the footsteps of Jan Szpunar, who won the Individual in 1973. Silver went to the Individual gold medallist Philip Lindkvist-Floetten of Sweden, who delivered a flawless shooting performance, matched by bronze medallist Kasper Kalkenberg.

The small crystal globe in the Junior Men Sprint discipline was awarded to Austria’s Thomas March.

Tomorrow, before a one-day break in Arber, the championships continue with the Youth and Junior Women Sprint events.

Photos: Deubert/IBU