US win first medals of Winter Paralympics as Oksana Masters leads American one-two

Oksana Masters of the United States, center, celebrates on the podium alongside silver medallist Kendall Gretsch of US, left, and bronze medallist Anja Wicker of Germany. Photograph: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

Oksana Masters led a United States one-two finish in the women’s 7.5km sitting sprint on Saturday, winning gold to deliver the United States’ first medals of the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics. Masters crossed the line in 21:21.3 at Val di Fiemme, coming in 16 seconds ahead of teammate Kendall Gretsch, who took silver.

Both Americans shot a perfect 10-for-10 on the range, leaving the race to be decided on the snow. Masters proved fastest over the course, pulling away from Gretsch on the final lap to secure the 10th Paralympic gold medal of her career. Germany’s Anja Wicker claimed bronze.