BIATHLON: Darcie Morton and Jethro Mahon have wrapped up their Lillehammer 2016 campaign with a 27th place finish in the biathlon single mixed relay at the Birkebeineren Stadium.

In what turned out to be one of the most exciting events in Lillehammer, the Aussies finished 7:21.5 behind winners China who claimed the gold in a photo finish against the Norwegians.

One of the many innovative events at the second Winter Youth Olympics, the relay featured two interchanges with Morton completing two circuits of the 1.5km course and two shoots on two occasions while Mahon completed two circuits and two shoots his first time out on course before finishing the race with two shoots and three circuits.

In front of a packed grandstand of boisterous locals, Morton got the event underway for the Aussies and had six penalties in her two shoots in what were windy conditions before handing over to Mahon 1:36.0 behind in 20th place. 

The youngster from Melbourne continued to shoot well in Norway getting only one penalty in his two shoots as Australia fell back to 24th, 3:12.6 behind.

Morton grabbed a place back for Australia as she clocked the 15th fastest time on her final run with five penalties as the Aussie team sat just over four minutes back. 

Mahon finished the race off, going clear on his first shoot and having three penalities on his second, as the duo finished in just under 49 minutes.

Australia's was one of only three nations to not have to ski a penalty lap in the event.  

More to come

Matt Bartolo 
olympics.com.au