Soukalova takes women's biathlon World Cup title

KHANTY-MANSIYSK, Russia (AP) Gabriela Soukalova of the Czech Republic won the women's biathlon World Cup overall title for the first time Saturday as Finland's Kaisa Makarainen won a 10-kilometer pursuit race.

Soukalova and her only remaining championship rival, France's Marie Dorin Habert, battled for the lead for much of the race but both missed shots at their final trip to the shooting range before Makarainen charged ahead on the last skiing lap.

The Finn took the win in a time of 30 minutes 6.7 seconds but Soukalova's fourth place was enough for her to secure the overall title with one race of the season remaining.

Dorin Habert was second, 1.5 seconds behind Makarainen, with Italy's Dorothea Wierer third, 5.7 seconds off the pace. Soukalova also ends the season top of the pursuit standings.