The Chinese biathlon team, now competing in the 6th Asian Winter Games at China's Beidahu ski resort, the nation's best skiing field, will leave for Italy on Feb. 4 and race in the men's individual on Feb. 6, followed by women's individual and mixed relay on 7 and 8, according to Chinese biathlon team coach Liang Xin'an.

    Chinese women biathletes made a flying start on Monday at the Winter Asiad as they raced to top three at the 7.5km sprint at Beidahu, 141 kilometers away from Changchun, capital city of northeast China's Jilin province.

    Men biathletes also surprised some of the favorites to finish second and third at the 10km sprint later.

    The Asiad biathlon competitions will finish on Feb. 2.

    "If we can make it to the championships in time, we are likely to produce good results as Chinese athletes are competitive in sprint and pursuit," said Liang.

    The Chinese biathletes pulled out stable run of form this season, with a third place in a women's relay competition of the biathlon World Cup held in Hochfilzen, Austria.