THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BIATHLON ...

IBU EVENTS IBU VERANSTALTUNGENcorner in Oslo. The warmer spring weather always makesthe competitive conditions hard, but just the thought ofspring improves everyone’s mood.The changes at the Holmenkollen were evident to everyonebefore they ever reached the stadium, as the massivenew ski jump draws attention from kilometers away.It dominates the stadium with a modern design, featuringupward sweeping sides for wind protection that give it a21st century non-traditional look.At the same time, a closer look at the stadium itself andthe ski trails revealed a complete revamp. Some of themost striking changes are right in the stadium including arevamped finish that takes the competitors up behind theshooting range, down a short hill and over a small bridge tothe finish line. At the same time, the spectator seating hasbeen rebuilt and expanded.The realigned and widened tracks and new modernbridges were a big hit with both athletes and officials. IBUIR for Course Christoph Vassallo described the changesas, “very positive improvements.”Behind the scenes, the service building was completelyremodeled resulting in expansive easy-to-work-in spacesfor the servicemen and a comfortable IBU Family Club thatoffered great meals for the teams and staff. At the sametime, a spacious and well planned press room was 50 metersfrom the finish line under one of the new bridges, makingthe journalists working conditions better than ever.The showstopper of the Oslo World Cup was the newlycrowned “Queen of Holmenkollen” Simone Hauswald. Shewon the Women’s Sprint, announced her retirement at thefinish line and then went on to win the Pursuit and MassStart competitions. With that hat trick, she also capturedthe hearts of every fan in the stadium. After the Mass Start,Hauswald admitted that her accomplishments were surprising,but enjoyable. “It is fantastic having three victorieshere at Holmenkollen.”During the last loop of the Mass Start, she saidmany thoughts were going through her mind. “Icannot believe what I have done in the last threeraces. Maybe it is the perfection of doing biathlon;body, mind and soul together. Now I have theflow and will enjoy it.”In that same Mass Start, two younger women,Vita Semerenko and Hauswald’s teammate,Magdalena Neuner. They, along with DaryaDomracheva, who was second in the Sprint andPursuit, represent the next generation of biathlonheadliners, the names to remember in thefuture. Neuner left Oslo with the Yellow Bib, intenton taking home the World Cup Overall titleafter the World Cup final in Khanty Mansiysk.Still, it was Hauswald’s week. She won theSprint and came back from two penalties in thefirst prone stage to take the Pursuit title. One ofher goals for the week was to meet King HaraldV of Norway, a frequent visitor to Holmenkollen.“After winning on Thursday, I was a little bit sadthat I did not get to meet him, so it was my goalfor the weekend and I tookthe first opportunity. He congratulatedme and we had somesmall talk. He asked meabout the stadium . . . andthen he said he wouldsee me tomorrow.”She kept that“date” with the Kingafter battling backonce again from twomissed prone shotsin the first stage totake the Mass Start tocomplete her hat trick.She said “We made a dateyesterday . . . and promisedto see each other on Sunday. ItThe official Magazine of the IBU 20 I 2010 biathlonworld 37