Ukraine’s Olena Pidhrushna won the women’s 7.5 km World Championship Sprint in 21:02.1. And another Ukrainian, Vita Semerenko, went third, 22.8 seconds back.

Pidhrushna shot clean on the way to her first World Championship medal and in the final loop she continued at her fast tempo. It is the first victory of her career.

Vita Semerenko also shot clean and won her the third World Championship medal (2012 – in the sprint, 2011 – in the individual).

Second went to Norway's Tora Berger, with one penalty, 6.4 seconds back.

"Of course it is a surprise to win", Pidhrushna said after a finish. "I dreamed of this but never thought it would be today; not me or my trainers." She had been ill after Antholz, only returning to training this week. She added, "I really have to thank my trainers who helped me get back in such good shape in a short time."

The last World Championship gold medal for Ukraine Olena Zubrilova won in 2002. And at the World Championship podium two Ukrainian raised together in 1999 in the mass start: first went to Zubrilova and Olena Petrova finished second.

President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine Sergey Bubka congratulated the girls, their coaches, the staff and management of Biathlon Federation on successful performance and wished the new victories.