Nastya became the first Ukrainian to finish in the end zone this World Cup season
Ukrainian biathlete Anastasia Merkushina commented on the first races of the new season.
“I have been ill with COVID-19 and it manifests itself most of all in breathing. The fact that the lungs cannot open to their full capacity, or this is an effect on hemoglobin that does not deliver oxygen to the legs. When I run, I have the impression that I, like a fish, grab air, and I don’t have enough of it. Due to the fact that there is not enough oxygen in the muscles, in the blood, you cannot physically do anything.
“Due to the fact that it has become much more difficult to breathe, I cannot swallow so much air to hold the shot a little, it is better to concentrate. I just don’t have enough time for that, and I have to take risks, shoot faster, and also approach much more calmly – almost on foot – to the line than usual, because if I add a little pulse, I won’t be enough at all, and I won’t be able to hit “.
“This is plus or minus what happened in the relay. All the girls went through the first lap before prone shooting slowly, and therefore I managed to shoot well, and when the struggle for the “stand” had already begun, although I ran more calmly than others, but because of the emotional struggle I approached quickly, and it was hard to shoot. It’s good that you did it. That is, such an effect: it must approach more slowly, and shoot faster, so as not to hold the air – to risk, in fact. Therefore, sometimes there are shortcomings.
“I will say for sure that I suffered much more in the relay race than in the individual races. There were thoughts: cling to this group and endure to the last, because it will be easier for Anya Krivonos than if you let go now and there will be a big abyss. Therefore, emotionally and physically more strained on the relay.
“The sprint was easier. Of course, I gave myself some slack, because now the conditions and opportunities are not the same, and it is psychologically difficult to leave alone when you feel bad. And the pursuit against the backdrop of the “corona” is very difficult, and there were also rather difficult weather conditions. Therefore, the pursuit was perhaps the most difficult of all the races.
“My younger sister Alexandra helps me a lot: she calms me down when emotions overwhelm me, and supports me if something doesn’t work out. I myself must be strong for her sake, and it’s easier for me not to become limp, to control myself, to be an example, to be the person she would like to grow and hold on to. At the same time, I am an emotional support for her, just as she is for me. It’s really much easier for me when she’s around.”
“Heavy rain is expected in Annecy. The weather forecast is rather unpleasant. From myself, I expect just an understanding of what is happening with my body. I have hope for some kind of breakthrough, that something will finally go right. Perhaps the mountain air will help my lungs, and it will be easier. Now the main thing is to scatter, concentrate on what we are doing, gather our will into a fist and work and endure, do what we have been preparing for a whole year and have been training a lot.”
Recall that at the second stage of the World Cup in Hochfilzen, Merkushina became the first Ukrainian woman to finish in the scoring zone this season (35th in the sprint and pursuit), and also helped the team improve the result in the relay race (12th place compared to 15 -m in Kontiolahti).
Today Anastasia Merkushina starts the sprint race at the third stage of the Biathlon World Cup in Annecy, France.
Source: Sportarena
