Grygorii Vovchynskyi (pictured) partnered Grygorii Reptyukh to biathlon relay gold ©Getty Images

Gyrgorii Vovchynskyi and Ihor Reptyukh led a Ukrainian sweep of the first four positions during a new exhibition biathlon relay event trialled at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Para Nordic Skiing World Cup in Vuokatti, Finland today.

A two-person event, consisting of six kilometres of skiing and 20 rounds of shooting, was being trialled for the first time at the World Cup competition. 

Experience gained from this test will be "used to further develop this format for potential integration into the World Championship and Paralympic Games calendar after 2018".

The format has been developed by a committee of coaches and officials with the objective of creating an "exciting team format with a strong emphasis on shooting results and that maximises the opportunity for nations to participate".

Liudmyla Liashenko was one half of the second placed Ukrainian team along with Oleksandra Kononova ©Getty Images
Liudmyla Liashenko was one half of the second placed Ukrainian team along with Oleksandra Kononova ©Getty Images

Any combination of skiers and genders was permitted, with their also no limit on the number of teams per nation.

Vovchynski and Reptyukh finished in 17min 45.0sec.

This put them comfortably clear of team-mates Liudmyla Liashenko and Oleksandra Kononova, on 18.02.70, and Oksana Shyshkova and Anatolii Kovalevskyi, in 18.27.70.

Norway's Nils-Erik Ulsen and Steinar-Trygve Larsen were the first non-Ukrainian pair in fifth.