FORT KENT – Jacob Beste was back on familiar ground Thursday when he took the top podium spot after winning the 12.5-kilometer pursuit competition on day two of the U.S. Biathlon World Team Trials and NorAm No. 3.

Beste, a member of the U.S. Army Biathlon Team, tore through a hard-packed course in 36 minutes, 50.4 seconds with five total penalties in the four shooting rounds. It was enough to move him up from a disappointing ninth-place finish after Wednesday’s 10-kilometer sprint race.

“I’m pretty pleased that everything came together,” Beste said. “I was shooting a lot better today and this gave me the confidence to push through to tomorrow.”

Beste is among 22 biathletes vying for the remaining open slots on the men’s and women’s U.S. Biathlon World Cup teams. The final standings will be announced following the completion of competition today.

The trials were moved to Fort Kent after warm temperatures and rain wiped out the venue in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Trail conditions were near perfect Thursday, although severe cold forced a half-hour delay in the race start time.

Teammate and wife Jill Krause-Beste already had earned a spot on the World Cup team earlier this season and went on to finish in first place Wednesday. She opted not to race again at the trials this week. Also not racing was Thursday’s senior men’s winner Jeremy Teela, who also has earned a spot on the World Cup team.

Shooting it out for second and third places Thursday were Brian Olsen, who finished 27.9 seconds behind Beste, and Tim Burke, 33.2 seconds behind. Both men ski for the Maine Winter Sports Center Team.

In the women’s 10-kilometer pursuit, Lanny Barnes skied the course in 31:09.9 for the victory. Barnes and twin sister Tracy Barnes finished in the two-three spots Wednesday. Tracy Barnes posted a time of 32:23.7 on Thursday for a fifth-place finish in the 7.5-kilometer sprint race. The sisters live and train in Fort Kent for the MWSC team.

Rounding out the top three women were Sarah Konrad, who finished 14.2 seconds behind, and Denise Teela, 38.2 seconds behind.