Anastasia Merkushina finished 35th in the sprint in Hochfilzen
Coach of the Ukrainian women’s biathlon team Alexander Kravchenko commented on the first race of Ukrainian women on second round of the World Cup in Austrian Hochfilzen.
“Nastya Merkushina is doing well today: after such an illness, to go to the start of the World Cup for the first time this season and win – as I think at the moment – a good place. The first test points for the team and for myself. Therefore, I think that for the state in which she was, this is very good.
“Sasha Merkushina is also doing well today. First time at the World Cup. It is clear that she is still young: she still needs to train, run. But it’s a good experience for her. I think she did a very good job.”
“According to the results of the shooting – the third time. It’s absolutely great. Recession after a gaffe on the counter? Do not forget that not so long ago the Merkushins were ill: it is not so easy to recover immediately. Or just physically lacking more strength? I think yes. Well, and experience.
“Bilosyuk, apparently, got into a period of acclimatization. She has the third or fourth day – the most … heavy. It seems that the height is small, but still there are such sensations.
“Visually, Krivonos seemed to run well, especially on the climbs. I think that either the same acclimatization had an effect, or it has not yet completely departed from that first stage. In training, she said that it was hard for her: she was suffocating. Now she says that nothing was run, but there were problems with the move, and she could not cope with the shooting a little. Therefore, we will tune in to the relay.”
“It is too early to put Sasha Merkushina on the relay, but we have no one else. You still need to think about who to put where, step by step.”
Recall that Anastasia Merkushina became the best among Ukrainian biathletes in the sprint at the World Cup in Hochfilzen. She demonstrated clean shooting and eventually took 35th place, losing 1 minute 34 seconds to the winner.
Two more Ukrainian women qualified for the pursuit – Daria Blashko and Olena Bilosiuk took 56th and 57th places respectively. Alexandra Merkushina and Anna Krivonos showed 72nd and 73rd results.
Today the stage in Hochfilzen will continue with the men’s sprint race. The women’s pursuit will take place on Saturday, December 10th.
Source: Sportarena
