French biathlete Martin Fourcade shoots in the standing position during a men’s 12.5 km pursuit event in the IBU Biathlon World Cup at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 4.
Athletes ski powerfully, while taking V-shaped steps across the snowfield. At the shooting range, however, they try to calm their breath and pull the trigger to shoot the target.
Whenever their bullet hits the target or when they ski rapidly past, the audience cheers the athletes on with shouts of joy and encouragement.
The biathlon is considered the “ironman race in the snow” because it requires speed and technique, in both cross country skiing and shooting accuracy. Shooting is equally important as skiing, because if a biathlete lacks such skills and misses the target, they have to go through a 150-meter penalty loop for each shot missed. This can change the results.
Martin Fourcade of France passes the finish line with joy as he wins the men’s 12.5 km pursuit event in the IBU Biathlon World Cup at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 4.
Such charms of the sport were witnessed in the men’s 12.5 km pursuit event in the IBU Biathlon World Cup at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 4.
Julian Eberhard of Austria was leading the race in the early stages until he entered the shooting range in the prone position for the second time. As he missed a target and got a penalty loop, the ranks changed.
Martin Fourcade of France won the race by crossing the finish line in 31 minutes and 24.2 seconds. Anton Shipulin from Russia took the second spot with a time of 31 minutes and 58.7 seconds, followed by Eberhard.
Athletes race during the men’s 12.5 km pursuit event in the IBU Biathlon World Cup at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 4.
The race excited the audience. People enjoyed the competition, yelling out cheers to the athletes with hopes for victory. They enjoyed the festive mood in the grand stands without even considering the medals or the rankings.
“It is a very meaningful game for me” said Fourcade on the results of the race.
“I came to Pyeongchang two days ago and saw the stadium. As I won the game where the Winter Olympic Games will be held next year, I feel so thankful and hope to do my best in the games next year,” he added with a smile.
Anton Shipulin from Russia, who earned the silver medal, said, “I’m happy with today’s results as I made up for yesterday’s sprint event and stood on the podium.” Shipullin took the second spot, although he began the race more than 1 minute later than Eberhard.
A total of 488 athletes from 28 countries participated in the IBU Biathlon World Cup, which began its four-day run on March 2.
The women’s 6 km relay and the men’s 7.5 km relay races will be held on March 5, the final day of the world cup.
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Jeon Han, Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
Martin Fourcade of France (center) poses for a photo with the gold medal, along with Russia’s Anton Shipulin (left) and Julian Eberhard of Austria who took the silver and bronze in the men’s 12.5 km pursuit event in the IBU Biathlon World Cup at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 4.
Athletes lie prone at the shooting range during the men’s 12.5 km pursuit event at the IBU Biathlon World Cup, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 4.
