10 facts about the new biathlon season Bashny.Net

On the day of the start of the first World Cup was unusual Sports.ru previews, has absorbed key touches to the portrait of the season. New rules, new coaches, new commentators, a new American tour, the new entity in the Russian national team, a new rifle Bjoerndalen, Swensen new ambitions, new surname Jonsson, new rank Neuner and the new Fantasy Biathlon. Let's go!

Photos and text via Sports.ru





1. Other rules

Complete the offseason generously endowed bulk of amendments to the regulations. Reducing the number of participants of Sprint and salons and is intended to enhance watchable and saturation of the race. Simply put, the weak will be a little less, and broadcast itself - a little shorter. Reducing the quota leading teams is aimed at weakening their dominance, plus the increase in the domestic competition. IBU does not want to go through hockey, which are able to play on the strength of eight to nine countries, and the rest are needed as cannon fodder.

Important reform - a return to the "pure" Total cancellation by subtracting the three worst races. First, it's more convenient to count. And secondly, in the main, if inveterate truant stages want to fight for the globes, they will have to learn to respect the fans and build their training schedule in a new way. Because of possible updates - supersprint, something like qualifying in Formula 1. With him Pursuit will not continue normal sprint race and quite original.

2. Coups summit

Since the beginning of the new Olympic cycle, many top powers decide on the personnel reshuffle. For both the Russian team put in charge of a very different color, but it is quite well-organized detachment of coaches.

In bundesmannshaft podsuetilis earlier from now on Herald Hoenig and Rico Gross COX German, and Mark Kirchner and Fritz Fischer - the Germans. Norwegian women's team will try to stir up Egil Yelland and men in Sweden - Jonas Johansson, surpassing most Wolfgang Pichler. Without beating cymbals, by the way, has not done.

The Polish team was headed by Democrat John Arne Enevoldsen, because delights Tomasz Sikora, Magdalena Gvizdon and other no end. Otkomandovavshey (bad) Finnish brigade Jonne Cajon flew over the ocean - to teach American life. His position has taken 32-year-old Norwegian fizruk Christian Holm. The Swiss national team made a German castling. Local idol Manfred Geier reached the East - in Korea, and was replaced by Steffen Hauswald.

3. Orange mood

If the players can, why can not biathletes? Shred foppery gradually seeps to the expanses of the World Cup. Garish orange rifle Bjoerndalen - this is light green (or other now?) Boots Cristiano Ronaldo: the purpose is the same, the supply - see all here. Or here - here, too, there is beauty.

Six O'Clock tests rifle at the plant - that it is all in the context of Bjoerndalen. During this time the weapons except as a hole punch unit is not used. And so - all shoot, all in full ammunition.

4. New people

Advanced composition of our team, announced at the very box spring instead of a few unfamiliar and unexpected people from debutant Vladimir Semakova to almost forgotten little Anna Kunaev through seemingly exhausted all loans Catherine Yurlov.

In the end, however, recently announced the list sent on December stages left to live a full and only one sensation. 25-year-old blonde brushed Semakov own efforts to reserve a much more experienced and become familiar Makoveeva Andrew Victor Vasiliev. In the women's call for beginners it is not found, but found a rested and recovered at last Olga Viluhina.

5. Three comeback. Or two

If the appearance Viluhinoy in Ostersund can be considered mini-return, the "Max" will be held later - when Dmitry Yaroshenko, Catherine St. George and Albina Akhatova turns will be allowed to participate in official competitions. Official competitions they shine, I must say, different poshiba. St. George over the weekend will not start somewhere in Ufa, and once at the second IBU Cup in Italy. Yaroshenko just starting to be somewhere in Ufa. A Akhatova quite possibly never will. The self speculate - better wait a couple of days.

6. Now it will Ekholm

Last summer Helena Jonsson married David Ekholm, and in the women's biathlon was superseded by another one name more. Honeymoon expected in the spring - in fact more than once! Helena train hard, quietly hates Pichler (which, however, obey unquestioningly) and use the original methods of motivation. But the team did not go hungry.

The only unhappy "but." Swede has never had a reputation for a person wishing and able to pull strap sports, come what may. Family is more important for Ekholm, and that her attitude gradually emerges. Who knows, perhaps really two finish of the season?

7. One it is everywhere

List as many names and forget about the main thing - it would be unfair to Magdalena Neuner. The new season for the first time it will start, having the status of the most titled biathlete in the world. As for the "most popular" no doubt for a long time.

8. American History X

In February, a great future awaits biathlon American tour, separated by a long pause in Khanty-Mansiysk. Strictly speaking, no tour here actually does not smell - between Presque Aylom and Fort Kent only about a hundred kilometers. Both the town did not get even the number of ten thousand, located in Maine and supply talent to the local winter sports center.

Last time "double" travel across the ocean took place seven years ago, at the junction of winter and spring took steps Lake Placid same Fort Kent. By the way, in 2006 Presque Isle took the youth World Cup. Neuner, Sleptsova, Ustyugov unlikely to forget it. Whether they go there in two months? Not a fact.

9. pricked up skiing

The two main Norwegian daredevil in biathlon and have just a lot, and now plan to achieve something in ski racing. The occasion is good - the world championship, which takes Oslo. Neither Einar nor Swensen this opportunity to drive home more may not occur.

Emil general coveted first marathon, but a moment later cut off a half minutes on the tag from Alexander Legkova. Bjoerndalen, who looked not much faster, looks at things objectively and is seriously dreaming only of the relay. When dreams come true, to Hunt, both will reach with a significant delay.

10. Looking to the screen

Among the two dozen riders to finish his career in March, there were willing to extend the relationship with biathlon and long-trodden path gone on TV. Halvard Hanevold such unusual without a cap and headphones, becomes accustomed to harsh journalistic everyday life. Vincent Defrasne parallel advising the Czech national team, will work commentator, as mentioned above indirectly David Ekholm. A three-time Olympic champion Kati Wilhelm will become an expert of the German TV channel. If you wish to listen to anyone - not a problem.

And with the new season!

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