Ukraine, with two penalty laps, finished 11th in the women’s relay at the 2024/25 KM biathlon stage in Kontiolahti
Senior Trainer Ukrainian biathlon team Nikolay Zots commented on the unsuccessful shooting in the “stand” Elena Gorodnoywhich resulted in two penalty loops during the women’s relay at the first stage of the 2024/25 Biathlon World Cup in Kontiolahti.
“This is life, why make a tragedy? We said that there will be ups and downs. This is a work environment. I won’t say that this is a normal situation. Such a failure is always unpleasant, but it is part of our biathlon life, our work. Now we need to go through this. Everything is fine”.
“I think it’s a bit of a lack of experience. Elena, I think [перед «стойкой»] it started to feel tight somewhere: they were passing around at a distance, so 300 meters before the shooting range she began to fight with biathletes from other teams and approached not in her own rhythm, quickly and began to work at a high pulse. Although the first two misses were large, they went completely differently. The third miss was already distant. It came too quickly – I think that’s the reason.”
“This is a normal working environment and young athletes are learning. We knew what we were getting into – [биатлонисткам] 19-20 years old. This is all experience, and athletes are not machines, but living people who tend to make mistakes somewhere. At this level they are at their most on edge. I’m not saying that shooting two penalties is normal. But it’s part of our job.”
Elena Gorodnaya had an unsuccessful first stage, having to take two penalty loops in the standing position. The 20-year-old passed the baton in 17th place, almost two minutes behind leader France.
Kristina Dmitrenko used only one additional round and lifted the Ukrainian team to 14th place. Further, Alexandra Merkushina failed to improve the position of the Ukrainians, finishing her stage 15th.
At the final stage, the experienced Yulia Dzhima ran and managed to raise the team by four positions – the final 11th place.
The victory in the women’s relay went to the Swedish team – on the last lap Elfira Oeberg overtook Julie Simon. The Norwegian team took third place.
Yesterday the men’s relay race also took place in Kontiolahti. Ukraine, consisting of Bogdan Tsymbal, Dmitry Pidruchny, Anton Dudchenko and Vitaly Mandzyn, took seventh place.
The Kontiolahti stage will continue on Tuesday, December 3, with a short individual race (15 km) among men.
Source: Sportarena
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