The biathlon family has finally arrived in Pokljuka. The biathletes from 32 countries had the first official training today. Everything is ready for tomorrow’s single mixed and mixed relay competitions. There is a lot of positivity and excitement among the biathletes and a bit of uncertainty after eight months of hard training.
Home favourite and olympic silver medalist Jakov Fak will compete tomorrow with young Urška Poje: “I have positive feelings about next week. It is interesting that the speed on the skis changes every day because of the snow. The shooting range and the tracks are well prepared considering the weather conditions. The rest is up to us to prove how good we are. We hope we are at the level for good results.”
Vanessa Hinz: “The tracks are quite good considering there was not much snow. They are perfectly prepared and I think we have really good conditions for the competition. It is exciting. I think all of us did some preparation races, but it is different then to start the World Cup. We have trained a lot and enough and it is nice that the season starts tomorrow.”
Lisa Vitozzi, olympic bronze medallist: “I am really happy that the season is finally starting. I need to know what all that work got me. I can’t wait to start the season. We haven’t changed much in training, but we did work on the element that were not that good. I feel very good here. The tracks are nice and well prepared. It is difficult circuit because you have to work all the time.”
Canadian Nathan Smith had difficult two seasons. But the silver medalist from World Championships in Kontiolahti is back and happyto race again. And just like many athletes he is both excited and a bit nervous: “It’s always like that at the beginning because you have trained all year and you haven’t raced against the other guys from other nations. The tracks stayed firm even where all the ski techs were skiing. I think it should be good conditions. Yesterday was difficult on the shooting range but today was really good for me so it was good to build up confidence before the relay tomorrow.”
We are really looking forward to a great week of biathlon and the whole season. See you in Pokljuka!
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