Shipulin blames kit man for mass start race failure as Russia’s winless streak continues

Russian Biathlete Anton Shipulin has hit out at their national team’s kit man, claiming that poorly-prepared skis were the reason for his failure to collect a medal in Sunday’s mass start at the World Biathlon Championships in Ruhpoldin.

Once again Russia’s skiers missed out on the medals, with Evgeny Utyugin the highest-placed Russian in tenth, 34 seconds behind leader Martin Fourcade of France.

«From the first lap I understood that the race was lost, because skis have never moved so badly. After the first lap I had lost half a minute, it’s really disgusting,» said the 2010 Winter Olympics bronze medallist, cited by RIA Novosti.

«[Kit man] Reinhard Neuner in charge, and he answers for the greasing and the service.» he said. «Only he can say what to do and how to do it,» Shipulin added.