The German team smiles with joy after winning the women’s relay in the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 5.
Some hugged each other with joy, while others lay exhausted on the ground.
This was the scene of the finish line at the women’s relay event in the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 5.
Anna Magnusson of Sweden lays exhausted on the ground after losing the third rank by Italy the women’s relay in the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 5.
A total of 84 athletes who participated in the women’s relay event of the world cup, showed their capability to the fullest, backed by a firm team spirit. Each athlete of the four-member teams cheered on their team members while tapping or touching the next person on their team to continue the race after skiing a total of six km and rifling through two shooting sessions. The audience shouted for joy and cheered the athletes when they tapped or touched the next person on their team or hit the target in the shooting range.
The crowds cheer Franziska Hildebrand, the final German competitor passes the finish line first to win the women’s relay in the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 5.
The French women’s team led the race in the beginning, followed by the German team right behind. They switched places, though, when Franziska Hildebrand cleared all the targets from the prone position where Celia Aymonier got two penalty loops. The Czechia team, which began the race in 15th place, became the third team to cross the finish line thanks to its final skier Gabriella Koukalova who used one penalty and nine spares to win over Italy.
The German team crossed the finish line first with a time of 1 hour 7 minutes and 35.6 seconds, securing the gold medal. The Norwegian team followed the German team 22.8 seconds later to win the silver. Czechia came in third by finishing the race 0.1 seconds after the Norwegians.
The second German athlete, Maren Hammerschmidt, leads the race while skiing uphill during the women’s relay in the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 5.
Franziska Hildebrand said she did not expect the victory on the result of the game by saying, “We are a strong team, but relays are always a bit different.” Maren Hammerschmidt, the second skier on the German team, expressed satisfaction for the results, saying, saying, “I am very happy with my performance today. My races before were not good, both Sprint and Pursuit. Today was very warm, and conditions were not easy for us and our technical team. We made the most of it.”
Ekaterina Avvakumova (third from the right) of the Korean team begins the race, as her previous team mate, Anna Frolina, touches her arm, during the women’s relay in the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 5.
The Korean team ranked 18th in the race with a time of 1 hour 13 minutes and 1.2 seconds. The team was composed of Mun Ji-Hee, Park Ji-Ae, Anna Frolina and Ekaterina Avvakumova.
Park Ji-Ae, who was the anchor for the team, said, “I guess I was very nervous as it’s the first time for me to participate in such a big event. I feel sorry for my team members.”
“I’m sure that our team showed the best team spirit,” Park added.
Athletes begin the race at the starting line during the women’s relay in the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 5.
The German team athletes (center) pose for a photo on the podium along with the Norwegian team (left) and the Czechia team after the women’s relay in the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on March 5.
By Yoon Sojung, Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writers
Photos: Jeon Han Korea.net Photographer
arete@korea.kr
