Latvia’s Leading Biathletes Prepare for Return to World Cup After IBU Cup Training

Baiba Bendika starts this week in the IBU Cup for training purposes, but Sanita Buliņa misses the second stage in a row due to illness. Both of Latvia’s leading biathletes will return to the World Cup, most likely after the new year.

The athletes who finished in the first three shot flawlessly. Breza-Boucher finished in 22 minutes and 13 seconds, 12.2 seconds behind overall leader Ingrid Lanmarka Tandrevolla of Norway, while third-placed Italian Lisa Vitoci was a further five seconds slower.

22.5 seconds behind the top three was the Frenchwoman Gillia Simon, who measured one penalty lap, the fifth was the Swedish Elvira Åberga, and the first six was completed by the Norwegian Marita Skogan. Estonian Tūli Tomingas finished in 11th position, measuring one penalty lap.

Both Latvian biathletes missed one target each in the shooting while lying down, while Sabule had two mistakes while standing, while Buliņa made three mistakes. Sabule lost almost five minutes, while Buliņa was a minute slower. In skiing, too, Sabule was slightly faster than Buliņa, the Latvians showing the 76th and 79th results in the distance, respectively.

83 biathletes competed in the sprint.

In the sprint, Tandrevolla is the undisputed leader, having accumulated 205 points in three races, 38 points ahead of Breza-Bouche. Sanita Buliņa is 54th with eight points, while Bendika ranks 58th with five points.

In the sum of all disciplines, Tandrevolla has 346 points and a lead of 37 points over the vice-leader Vitoci. Buliņa is 52nd with 19 points and 14th in the U-25 ranking, while Bendika is in 66th position with five points.

On Friday, there will be a men’s 10-kilometer sprint race, on Saturday there will be a pursuit race, and on Sunday – a race with a joint start.

There are nine rounds in the World Cup series this season, with the crystal globes handed out in mid-March at the Canadian circuit in Kenmore. The next stage will take place in the first week of January at the German circuit in Oberhof.

The World Championship will be held in Nove Mesto from February 7 to 18, and the European Championship from January 21 to 28 – at the Slovakian track in Osrbl.