The Biathlon Men to Win for Biathlon Women
The Biathlon World Cup starts today in Kontiolahti, Finland, by women’s and men’s individual races of 15 kilometers and 20 kilometers respectively. In addition to achievements at the Cup series, our teams are to solve their key tasks. The men are expected to win two gold medals, while the women are targeted at a silver and a bronze at the World Championships held in Sweden’s Östersund February 9 through 17.
Having triumphed in Turin (our girls won two gold and two bronze medals at Turin 2006 Winter Olympics), the women’s squad of the country has actually broken up in its combat strength. So, today’s targets are very modest.
But there are reasons for optimism. The two-year disqualification of Olga Pyleva ends February 14, 2008. Having given birth to a son, Pyleva has set to aggressive training under the leadership of her husband Valery Medvedtsev. She has requested Russia’s Biathlon Union to book a place for her at February competitions, at least at the Euro Cup or even at the World Cup.
Fresh mothers, Albina Akhatova and Olga Zaitseva, are back in the squad. But they lacked time for attaining the best form and won’t compete at the first series. As to Anna Bogaly, she will miss the 2007/2008 season.
Today’s No. 1 of our squad is Ekaterina Yurieva, who won the highest 13th place at the World Cup past year. So, it won’t be easy for the team to oppose the world leaders, the squad of Germany, where almost all girls have the Top 10 rating.
But the expectations are high for the men’s part of the competition. Ivan Cherezov, Maxim Chudov, Dmitry Yaroshenko, Nikolay Kruglov are targeted at no less than victories in individual races.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 29, 2007
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