Pidruchny: Every day in each race there is different weather and a different track, it was quite difficult to get used to these conditions

Leader of the Ukrainian men’s biathlon team Dmitry Pidruchny commented on his performance in today’s relay and in general at the World Cup in Oberhof.

“The stage is generally very difficult. Every day in every race there is different weather and a different track, it was quite difficult to get used to these conditions. As for the relay, it got very cold, the wind was strong, this could be seen at the shooting. Everyone felt it.”

“The move remained more or less at its level [в спринте и преследовании]. It’s a little worse in the relay. As for the shooting, of course, it is generally unsatisfactory. Lying down during the relay – I don’t know what happened there, maybe a change in the wind. But everything was like shooting, I don’t know why I missed. Standing already tried to shoot quickly and clearly. We can say that I shot well while standing, but it was a little difficult to fight on the track. Even with those with whom I ran, I tried to endure, to show my results.”

“Shooting in general? I don’t think the break affected my shooting. Most of all, I think, the fact that I have been for three months [с середины августа по ноябрь] couldn’t shoot properly. I think that this is felt, so there is a problem with this in competitions, because I started shooting both prone and standing only from November 10-12. Before this, my hand did not allow me to conduct normal shooting training.”

The Ukrainian in the men’s relay earned three penalties and finished in 13th position. The winner of the race was the Norwegian team.

The next stage of the World Cup will take place in Ruhpolding, Germany on January 10-14. The program includes classic relay races, sprints and pursuit races.