Whistler, Canada  - Jay Vincent of France swept to a surprise win Wednesday in the men's 20-kilometre individual biathlon in Whistler, host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

He skied to victory in 49 minutes 53.9 seconds and got off four perfect shots on the marksman range.

Germany's Daniel Boehm (50 min 12.9 seconds) and Jeremy Teela of the US (50 min 17.2 seconds) followed in second and third place.

Earlier Wednesday, Germany's Simone Hauswald, 29, won the second biathlon World Cup event of her career in the women's 15-kilometre individual race in 42 minutes 44.6 seconds, with perfect shooting.

Mass-start world champion Olga Zaitseva of Russia missed one target on her way to second place, 39.3 seconds behind the winner. Vita Semerenko of Ukraine also missed once in the range as she came home in third spot, 1:05.8 minutes adrift of Hauswald.

Germany's Kati Wilhelm continues to head the overall standings despite finishing down in 40th place.

Wilhelm has 730 points after 19 of 26 events, 10 points clear of Sweden's Helena Jonsson. Germany's Magdalena Neuner lies third overall on 669 after registering a fourth-place finish. (dpa)