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OSTERSUND, Sweden (AP) — Tim Burke has tied for the best finish ever for a U.S. biathlete in a World Cup event by finishing second to Norway's Emil Hegle Svendsen in the men's season-opening race.

Hegle Svendsen and Burke each missed one target in the 20-kilometer race, but the Norwegian outskied the American to secure his 12th individual World Cup win.

Burke's chance for victory disappeared when he missed a shot at the final shooting station. He earned his first world cup podium finish to match Josh Thompson's silver medal in a 20K race at Canmore, Canada, in 1992.

Hegle Svendsen finished in 52 minutes, 43.7 seconds, with Burke 35.5 seconds behind.

Christoph Sumann of Austria was third, 14 seconds behind Burke after also missing one shot.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.