European Championships in Ridnaun: Numerous stars have registered

If you take a closer look at the Italian squad, you might think that a World Cup stage is taking place in Ridnaun. With Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi, Alexia Runggaldier, Karin Oberhofer and Federica Sanfilippo for the women, and Lukas Hofer and Dominik Windisch for the men, the “Azzurri” have, among others, registered their top athletes for the European Biathlon Championships. Whether all the stars start effectively depends, of course, on their preparation for the Olympics. “We are very pleased and honored that Italy has registered such a strong team. Of course, that gives the European Championships a completely different meaning,” emphasizes Secretary General Manuel Volgger two weeks before the first competitions.

Similar to Italy, Russia is also likely to send a top team into the race. Alexander Loginov is the high-flyer of the last European Championships in Duszniki-Zdrój, Poland, who won gold in the individual, pursuit and mixed relay as well as silver in the sprint a year ago. His teammate Irina Starych, who is also expected to start in Ridnaun, achieved a similarly strong result as Loginov with gold in the individual, pursuit and mixed relay, as well as bronze in the sprint.

Koukalova hasn't written off the Olympics yet

But that's not enough. The Czech team will most likely strengthen Gabriela Koukalova. The 28-year-old, who won two Olympic silver medals in Sochi in 2014, was already at the last European Championships in Ridnaun in 2011 and won silver in the sprint as Gabriela Soukalova. However, the overall World Cup winner of the 2015/16 season has been slowed down by problems with her Achilles tendon and calf muscles since last summer and has missed all previous competitions this winter. Her start at the Winter Olympics in Pyeonchang is in doubt, but the Czech Republic's athlete of the year has not given up on her dream yet.

When it comes to the French team, the name Fourcade stands out. Superstar Martin won't be coming to South Tyrol, but his brother Simon will, who has already won five World Cup medals in his career. Nadine Horchler, who was nominated for the German team, won a World Cup in an individual competition. The 30-year-old's big moment came last year when she won the mass start in Antholz. Horchler is no stranger to Ridnaun, because on the one hand she is regularly at the top of the IBU Cup, and on the other hand, she won bronze in the pursuit and relay seven years ago at the last European Championships in Ridnaun.

Lots of old familiar faces

Krasimir Anev also took part in the last European Championships in Ridnaun in 2011. Seven years ago the Bulgarian won silver in the pursuit and bronze in the individual. His teammate Vladimir Iliev, who also appears on the entry list, is the defending champion in the sprint, which he won in Poland a year ago.

“The presence of one or two international top stars is certainly one more reason for all biathlon fans to come to Ridnaun. Some of these biathletes competed in the Winter Olympics a few weeks later. And who knows whether we might even have a medal winner at the start,” says Manuel Volgger in conclusion.

European Championships in Ridnaun – January 22nd to 28th, 2018

Competition program: Monday, January 22nd: Opening ceremony (20.00 p.m.) Tuesday, January 23th: Official training Wednesday, January 24th: Men's singles (10.00:13.30 a.m.), Women's singles (XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.) Thursday, January 25th: Official training Friday, January 26th: Sprint men (11.00 a.m.), Sprint women (14.00 p.m.) Saturday, January 27th: Men's Pursuit (13.00 p.m.), Women's Pursuit (15.00 p.m.) Sunday, January 28th: Single mixed relay (13.00 p.m.), mixed relay (15.00 p.m.)

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

European Championships in Ridnaun: Numerous stars have registered

Suggestions

Comments (0)