BIATHLON Preview: World Cup season debuts in Pokljuka

The 42nd season of the International Biathlon Union’s World Cup circuit begins in Poland this time, with competition in Pokljuka in sprints, pursuit, traditional racing and relays.

The men’s division has been ruled by France’s Martin Fourcade, who has won seven straight seasonal World Cup crowns, defeating a host of challengers, but primarily three men in recent years:

∙ Johannes Thingnes Boe (NOR) ~ Runner-up in 2015-16 and 2017-18; third in 2016-17
∙ Anton Shipulin (RUS) ~ Runner-up in 2014-15 and 2016-17; third in 2015-16 and 2017-18
∙ Jakov Fak (SLO) ~ Third in 2014-15

Awards in the women’s division has been more widely distributed, but Finland’s Kaisa Makarainen won her third seasonal title in 2017-18, continuing the competition between a small group”

∙ Darya Domracheva (BLR) ~ Champion in 2014-15, third in 2017-18
∙ Gabriela Koukalova (CZE) ~ Champion in 2015-16; second in 2016-18
∙ Laura Dahlmeier (GER) ~ Champion in 2016-17
∙ Dorothea Wierer (ITA) ~ Third in 2015-16
∙ Anastasiya Kuzmina (SVK) ~ Runner-up in 2017-18
∙ Marie Dorin Habert (FRA) ~ Runner-up in 2015-16

The opener is the first visit to Pokljuka in a couple of years, with a full set of events:

∙ 5 December: Men’s 20 km
∙ 6 December: Women’s 15 km
∙ 7 December: Men’s 10 km Sprint
∙ 8 December: Women’s 7.5 km Sprint
∙ 9 December: Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit
∙ 10 December: Women’s 10- km Pursuit

In the 2016-17 events, Fourcade won both men’s races, the 10 km Sprint and 12.5 Pursuit, and Germany’s Dahlmeier won the 7.5 km Sprint and 10 km Pursuit for women.

Look for results here.

The IBU opened the season early with two relay races, won by Norway and France:

IBU World Cup no. 1
Polkjuka (POL) ~ 2-3 December 2018
(Full results here)

Single Mixed Relay: 1. Thekla Brun-Le/Lars Helge Birkeland (NOR), 38:26.7 (4 total penalties); 2. Lisa Theresa Hauser/Simon Eder (AUT), +8.5 (5); 3. Anastasiya Merkushyna/Artem Tyshchenko (UKR), +20.7 (1).

Mixed Relay (2×6 km + 2×7.5 km): 1. France (Bescond, Braisaz, Fourcade, Desthieux), 1:10:02.8 (5); 2. Switzerland, +38.7 (9); 3. Italy, +52.1 (8). Also: 15. United States (Susan Dunklee, Claire Egan, Leif Nordgren, Sean Doherty), +4.19.8 (9).