“I evaluate the first trimester positively, for example, in that Markéta showed that she belongs to the top of the world. In addition, she made significant progress in shooting, where she did a tremendous amount of work. I appreciate the fact that she was not afraid and transferred what she demonstrated in the test races to the world ” said Rybář.
Twenty-five-year-old Davidová belongs, as in previous years, to the main Czech faces. By starting to shoot on one breath, she was about eight seconds faster on the item. Thanks to this, she celebrated success especially in Hochfilzen, where she was second in the sprint and third in the pursuit race.
“There are not many racers who are able to make a change and sell it immediately. Mostly fear comes and you don’t want to make a mistake. But Markéta is the type who wants to win and knows that this is the way. It’s hard to beat the best racers by eight seconds on the track , but here he can save time on the item,” said Rybář.
It was not only David’s last performance in Annecy where she struggled with specific conditions. In Saturday’s pursuit race, the ice surface did not suit her. “Markéta is a strong type when it comes to her legs. But when you have ice under you, it’s hard to bounce back from it. That was the main handicap. The contestants who were able to hold it with the top, profited from it,” said the forty-four-year-old coach.
“After Hochfilzen it looked very promising and we might have expected some more results in France. Even if it didn’t work out, there were equally interesting races from Bimba (Krčmář – 6th place in the sprint) or Jessica (Jislové – 14th place in the pursuit ), which was caught by shooting. The swallows are there,” added Rybář.
Photo: Jaroslav Svoboda/Czech Biathlon
Markéta Davidová on the track of the pursuit race in Annecy.Photo: Jaroslav Svoboda/Czech Biathlon
The 31-year-old Krčmář confirmed the role of the most experienced Czech biathlete. Out of eight races, he was in the top 15 five times and the same place belongs to him in the SP standings. “Michal wasn’t doing bad last year either, but now he’s calm. Maybe it’s also because he’s a new father and he’s more relaxed,” Rybář pointed out and praised the arrival of young competitors.
Twenty-three-year-old Jakub Štvrtecký scored the eighth place in the sprint in Hochfilzen, the result of his life, Tomáš Mikyska, a year younger, scored points in five of the seven races. “We know that the boys are going through a generational change, and the results show that the fruit is starting to ripen. I would like Mikuláš Karlík to catch on, who is physically up to it and only struggles when shooting standing. But it gives us a charge for the next trimester, the World Championship and the World Cup in Nové Město in Moravia,” said Rybář.
Photo: Czech Biathlon/Jaroslav Svoboda
Michal Krčmář during the sprint at the World Cup in Annecy.Photo: Czech biathlon/Jaroslav Svoboda
He admitted that the new service team also needs time. Next to Eder, who is responsible for ski grinding, Norwegian Ole Björn Tretterud became the new head of the servicemen. “We did a lot of work with the material. You could see that in some races we had skis that were among the best. But there were also races when we had a hard time with it. Either with the choice of skis or lubrication. We have a lot of work ahead of us ” said Rybář. “Everything is just settling down and so are other teams. We are happy for the successful races, but we also have to be vigilant and not hide from anything,” added the sports director.
While most biathletes will be preparing in the Czech Republic during the Christmas break, Davidová and Krčmář plan to train in Pokljuka. From there they will go to the traditional exhibition race in Gelsenkirchen, which will take place on December 28. “Michal will also spend Christmas Day in Pokljuka. Both will be preparing at high altitude in the venue of the next World Cup,” Rybář added. The World Cup will resume on January 5.
