British biathlete Jackson secures personal best finish

Biathlon Vancouver 2010 Post a comment

Posted: Sunday 14th February 2010 | 22:47

From Ryan Bangs, Sportbeat, in Whistler

BRITISH biathlete Lee-Steve Jackson produced a personal best performance on his Winter Olympic debut in Whistler.

PLEASED: Lee-Steve Jackson equalled his best ever result with a 55th place finish in the 10km biathlon sprint at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver (Getty Images)

The 28-year old incurred two penalties on the range as he clocked 27.18.10 minutes, finishing 55th out of 87 in the 10km sprint.

The result qualified him a place in Tuesday's 12km pursuit and it was a performance that equalled his best result at this level, in a World Cup race more than two years ago.

"My shooting could have been a bit better but I made the top 60, which I am happy about," said Jackson - who serves as a lance-corporal with the 2nd Battalion, Two Rifles.

"We knew a top result would be around 40th and taking into account penalties, we knew it would be close.

"55th is an equal personal best for me, so I've got to be happy and I've no complaints to do that on my Olympic debut.

"My shooting can be better going into the next race and there is some good competition in and around me. But hopefully I can move up a couple of places."

Jackson's early start time meant he could exploit the best of the weather conditions, with those that followed severely hampered by heavy rain and then snow.

France's Vincent Jay was the surprise winner while triple world champion, Norway's Emil Hegle Svendsen, and Croatia's Jakov Fak completed the podium.

"Thankfully it didn't start really snowing until I'd finished, I was quite fortunate with the weather," added Jackson.

AS IT HAPPENS: Day three of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver

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Comments

Lee-Scott Jackson and the Biathlon

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/15/2010 - 18:34.

It is great to here that Lee-Scott Jackson did so well in the10k Biathlon, such a shame the BBC didn't show us him doing it. But I am sure had he thrown himself down an ice slide on a glorified tea tray and qualified for the next event. It would have made all the news bulletins.
Sorry for the rant, I'm just another shooter who feels the BBC does not give anything that involves shooting anything like a fair amount of air time.
I wish him all the best for the 12K, hoping that he does that well so the BBC has to report on him.