SEEFELD, Jan 16 - Canadian Biathlete Stuart HARDEN crossed the finish line first in the Men's Biathlon 10 km Pursuit, only to be left devastated moments later when told he had been penalised by two minutes for missing a penalty lap.

After crossing the line in Monday's event at Seefeld, HARDEN celebrated his apparent win with teammates and Canadian Chef de Mission Beckie SCOTT (CAN) before his coach Chris LINDSAY (CAN) informed him about the missed penalty, leaving the athlete doubled over with his head in his hands.

The turn of events meant the Gold medal went to Niklas HOMBERG (GER), with Rene ZAHKNA (EST) taking Silver and Fangming CHENG (CHN) claiming Bronze.

After HARDEN's disappointment, his coach LINDSAY was keen to point out how proud he was of his athlete.

"I brought him in close, told him he'd had a great race, but that it looked like he'd missed a penalty loop," LINDSAY said. "He knew immediately and apologised. I told him it wasn't necessary and to go for a walk and now he'll focus on his part in the Relay team."

"I'm very happy with his performance today. It was an unfortunate situation, but he's a young athlete."

"Athletes make mistakes and this is one he'll never make again. It will make him stronger in future competitions."

HOMBERG, who started the event sixth, was on a high after claiming Gold with a time of 28 minutes, 43.1 seconds.

"It's an amazing feeling, just gorgeous really," he said. "I'm happy and proud of myself. I didn't realise I had won when I crossed the line, and even minutes later I still didn't know I was the Youth Olympic Games champion."

HOMBERG, who crossed the line 37.4s after HARDEN, missed four shots in all, but had a perfect final standing round, which inspired him.

"It gave me wings. Having such good shooting for the last lap. It absolutely motivated me and I felt only happiness going into that last lap," he said.

"I wasn't happy with the beginning of my shooting, but I stayed cool and calm."

Silver medallist ZAHKNA finished 9.5s after HOMBERG, with four missed shots.

"I was happy with my performance, even though it could have been better," he said. "But I've won a medal today, which is the main thing."

Fangming CHENG (CHN), who won Gold in Sunday's 7.5 km Sprint race, skied well but missed seven shots and felt he should have done better.

"I admit it was different and not in my expectations," CHENG said. "In the last round my shooting was hurried and I missed three shots. I'm a little but disappointed, bit it's OK."

Following his penalty, HARDEN finished in seventh place.

YIS gb/sco/rm