Biathlon: tour of foreign teams before Le Grand-Bornand
With the Olympic Games every four years and the world championships, the French World Cup stage at Grand-Bornand is a must-have on the calendar for biathlon fans. The media are not mistaken. The weekend a few days before Christmas is an opportunity for journalists from general titles to talk at greater length about the Nordic discipline. Thursday morning, first day of competition, The Parisian Today in France thus devotes a long article to Simon Fourcadethe coach of the French men’s team.
It’s not just in France that we’re going to talk about the Aravis resort. From all over Europe, editorial staff have dispatched special correspondents. It’s up to them to talk about what’s happening in Grand-Bornand. And to give us a host of little anecdotes. An NRK reporter met Tarjei Boe who will only compete in the Sunday mass start after a far from satisfactory start to winter. “From my room, I hear the shots. Thursday I’ll be here and it’ll be a little weird to hear them and the cheers.”he confided to her.
The Swedish Elvira Oeberg also spoke to the public when the SVT handed him its microphone. “It’s about preparing for the fact that it will be noisy”she said. And to add: “It’s not for me that the spectators shout the most, but if I find myself in front of the targets at the same time as a French woman, I will hear how she shoots. »
It’s still about the weather. Rain expected during inaugural race. “I’m glad we’re not competing on Thursday. Friday looks good »the biathlete believes.
Races broadcast in Russia
For his part, Italian Fund asked to Giorgio Di Centacross-country skiing legend and currently member of the staff of the transalpine teamto describe the Grand-Bornand trail. He draws “a very tough course, with beautiful difficult climbs at the beginning and immediately after, with descents with difficult curves. Athletes must therefore stay focused and not overdo it to perform these turns well. Halfway there is a nice long climb, which should be approached with caution. »
He also addresses the weather which will not be neutral in the coming days : “Rain is forecast for the men’s race [ce jeudi]but we will do our best. And then snow is expected tomorrow evening, so the women will run on fresh snow Friday. Then on Saturday the cold returns. » In other words, the situation will continue to change : « We will have different temperatures and climates during this trip to Grand Bornand. It’s our job, we adapt and try to do the best we can. »
Estonian TV has started the countdown. With one question in mind: what will its biathletes do in Grand-Bornand?
Many of them will therefore follow the races in front of their small screen. Including in Russia, a country excluded from international competitions since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. okko.tv indeed broadcasts the program.
