More European Competitions Coming Up for the US-Team
Biathlon
Wed, Sep 9, 2009 - By Viktoria Franke USBA
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| Training in Ruhpolding (Photo by Jeremy Teela) |
Good Work in Sweden, More Training in Germany
High performance director Bernd Eisenbichler was pleased with the Sweden camp and the performance of the team: “They showed solid results in the IBU-cup races and that was a good first step to see where we stand. More important though was the training. The coaches worked individually with every athlete and each of them a big step forward.”
Now being back in Bavaria, Germany the team will have another week of training. Yet it’s not just training. After some free time they will start in the German National Championship relay races next week in Ruhpolding. Even more important though will be the rollerski races at Summer Biathlon World Championships which will kick off on September 21st in Oberhof. They will have the chance to compete against some of the world’s best biathletes including the strong German team and Russian competitors like Maxim Tchoudov and Ivan Tcherezov.
Ski Tests in the New Ski Tunnel in Oberhof
But competing at the WCHs is not the only thing they are planning to do in Oberhof. Just a few days ago the biggest ski tunnel in the world opened a few hundred meters away from the biathlon stadium. “That is perfect for us. We will use some time there to meet with all the ski-techs and start some ski testing. It’s probably not bad to get a sense for snow already in September!”, explains Eisenbichler.
Another test for the team will take place for part of the Women’s team. Tracy and Lanny Barnes as well as Beth Anne Chamberlain decided to start at the second part of the German Championships in Altenberg, Saxony. The Barnes twins showed good results in Altenberg during the IBU-Cup in January now they’ll use the opportunity to try out the rollerski course there.
Stay tuned to see how the upcoming competitions go for the US Biathlon Team!