Remizova, Minnegulov take final World Cup crowns

Masters was also named the winner of the women’s cross-country World Cup, covering all classifications, with an incredible 760 points.

Russia’s Paralympic medallists Elena Remizova and Rushan Minnegulov secured overall IPC Cross-Country Skiing World Cup globes for their classifications as the series came to a close in Vuokatti, Finland, on Sunday (20 March).

Despite losing out on the race win in the women’s middle distance freestyle visually impaired to rival and teammate Mikhalina Lysova, Remizova finished 20 points clear at the top of the standings.

Lysova (20:02.0), guided by Alexey Ivanov, showed that she is still a force to be reckoned with by taking victory on the day. Remizova (20:29.6), guided by Maksim Pirogov, was second to confirm the same place in the rankings. Ukraine’s Olga Prylutska (21:12.2) finished third on the day with guide Borys Babar.

It was an all-Russian top three in the overall World Cup as Marina Galitsyna took third, guided in 2015-16 by Kristina Lidova.

With the men’s visually impaired World Cup winner already confirmed as Russia’s Stanislav Chokhlaev earlier on in the competition, Canada’s multiple Paralympic champion Brian Mckeever was the race victor on Sunday.

Mckeever (22:31.1) followed up with his marathon win from Saturday (19 March) with another in the middle distance, guided by Graham Nishikawa.

France’s Thomas Clarion (23:03.1) was also in good form once again, taking second with guide Antoine Bollet to finish as the World Cup No. 3.

Chokhlaev (23:24.7), guide by Oleg Kolodiichuk, enjoyed his latest podium with third place.

Russia’s cross-country Paralympic gold medallist Anna Milenina (19:59.2) enjoyed the top step of the podium in the women’s standing once again, rounding off a great season in which she was named the World Cup winner.

Ukraine’s Oleksandra Kononova (20:44.4) was second, confirming her third place in the overall rankings. Russia’s Ekaterina Rumyantseva (21:21.8) just edged Kononova to second on points, finishing third in the race.

A win for France’s Benjamin Daviet in the men’s standing could not prevent Russia’s Rushan Minnegulov from claiming the No. 1 in the season’s rankings.

However with his winning time of 22:38.4, Daviet broke into the World Cup top three.

Minnegulov (22:43.3) was second, followed by Ukraine’s Ihor Reptyukh (23:07.5).

Having won the overall women’s sitting World Cup on Saturday, the USA’s Oksana Masters continued her unbeaten run in Vuokatti.

Masters (17:16.3) was dominant to take the race victory ahead of the Russian pairing of Nadezdha Fedorova (17:45.0) and Irina Guliaeva (17:52.9).

Maria Iovleva claimed second place in the points rankings ahead of teammate Fedorova in third.

With her performances this season, Masters was also named the winner of the women’s cross-country World Cup, covering all classifications, with an incredible 760 points.

Another Russian, Ivan Golubkov, added more points to his already overflowing haul in the men’s sitting.

Golubkov (22:50.3), confirmed as the World Cup champion earlier on in the week, showed his prowess with the race win. He also took home the men’s cross-country World Cup with 689 points.

Ukraine’s Maksim Yarovyi (22:54.3) was second in the race, sealing his third place finish in the men’s sitting points.

South Korea’s Eui Hyun Sin (23:00.7) broke into the World Cup top 10 with his latest podium finish in third.

In the Nations Cup, Russia held the trophy aloft thanks to their combined cross-country and biathlon points.

Ukraine were second, edging Germany into third.

Full results and rankings are available at IPC Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon's website.

With the World Cup over, skiers will now turn their attention to the last race of the season. An IPC Cross-Country Skiing marathon will take place in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia, on 9 April.