THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BIATHLON ...

IBU EVENTS IBU VERANSTALTUNGENNot to be outdone, Kathrin Hitzergrabbed the IBU Open EuropeanU26 title in the Women’s 15K individual,despite a broken ski on thefourth loop. “Before the final standingstage, I fell down, when I hit myski with my pole. The rest of theloop was okay. After I left the shootingrange, I thought something waswrong; 200 meters after the shootingrange, I could not ski on. Theski was broken and I did not knowwhat to do. One of the techniciansbrought a new ski so I could do the last loop. . . It took along time; it felt like a very long time. I was not sure I wouldstill win . . . but I am glad it was good at the end.”The German domination continued in the Men and Women’sRelay, as both teams won with World Cup level efficiency.The men, using just three spare rounds finished 1:41.8ahead of the Russian team. The German women howeverwere challenged by the Ukraine, who started three Olympians,the Semerenko sisters and Olena Pidhrushna.The Ukrainians skied well, but used eight spare rounds,while the German IBU Cup squad needed just two and gotaway with a twenty-second win.Daniel Böhm continued the victory string as he tookthe Men’s Sprint, once again taking one for the IBU-Cupathletes. The Olympian versus IBU Cup athletes changedin the Women’s Sprint, as Valj Semerenko took the title,with her twin sister Vita grabbing third. At the same time,the German team suffered another technical disaster asFranziska Hildebrand’s ski binding broke and she failed tofinish.Pursuit competitions are seldom predictable, but DanielBöhm, after his Sprint win suggested that one of his teammatesmight take that title. “I think it might be Erik’s (Lesser)turn; he is a good shooter. We like to give everyone onour team a chance to win.” Lesser had not been on the podiumexcept in the Relay at that point.He did not win, but finished secondto Alexey Volkov of Russia. With hisvictory, Volkov, a first year seniorcompetitor became the top medalwinner in Otepää. With a big smileon his face, after garnering a Gold,two Silver, and a Bronze medal thisweek, he commented, “I had a verygood race, despite one missed shotin second stage. . . Four medals is avery good result.”Since Valj Semerenko won theSprint, it was sister Vita’s turn in the Women’s Pursuit. Valjdecided not to start in the Pursuit, opening the door for hersister to gain a Gold medal. Vita explained, “My sister decidednot to start today, because she wanted to rest andbe ready for the World Cup next week in Kontiolahti. Ourcoach told me if I did not want to start that it was okay.However, I did not have a Gold medal from here and decidedto start.”Although she won that Gold medal, Semerenko did nothave an easy afternoon. Kathrin Hitzer lurked behind andchallenged until the final loop. Semerenko commented, “Iknow that Kathrin is very fast on the tracks. That is why Istayed so focused on my shooting. If she had shot cleantoday, it would have been a very hard competition in theend.” Hitzer had three penalties, Semerenko just one. TheOlympian won the final round.Although the Olympians won numerous medals in Otepää,they were only part of the show. The IBU Cup competitorsshowed that they are not far from the top and can competewith the best. At the same time, a strong group of Russianjunior men and Norwegian junior women showed those nationswill continue to be powers well into the future. AssistantRace Director Iliev summed up, “The level of competitionis higher now; there is not such a great difference forthese athletes now when they go to the World Cups.” Also,The official Magazine of the IBU 20 I 2010 biathlonworld 49