The Swedish biathlon team faced a challenging World Cup event in the high-altitude setting of Antholz, Italy, a venue that will also host the Winter Olympics next year. While the overall performance exceeded the initially low expectations of head coach Johannes Lukas, the absence of Elvira Öberg, sidelined due to illness, was felt. Hanna Öberg led the Swedish women, finishing 11th, followed by Ella Halvarsson in 18th, Anna Magnusson 32nd, newcomer Anna-Karin Heijdenberg 35th, and Johanna Skottheim 40th. The high altitude, a known factor impacting athletes’ performance, played a significant role in the race outcomes, with several athletes, including Magnusson and Heijdenberg, reporting exhaustion and breathing difficulties.
The challenging conditions of Antholz serve as a crucial preparatory experience for the upcoming World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, and subsequently the Winter Olympics in Antholz. Both events will take place at high altitudes, making acclimatization and pacing crucial for success. Hanna Öberg acknowledged the difficulty of the first race at altitude, stating that while she didn’t fear the elevation, maintaining intensity throughout the race proved challenging. She emphasized the importance of controlling breathing to avoid shortness of breath, a common problem at high altitudes, especially before shooting. The Swedish team plans to implement altitude training camps ahead of both the World Championships and Olympics to optimize their performance.
The Antholz World Cup event offered a glimpse into the atmosphere expected for the upcoming Olympics. The renovated stadium, featuring the Olympic rings prominently displayed on the mountain road leading to the arena, buzzed with excitement. Hanna Öberg noted the unique experience of competing in the Olympics at a familiar venue, highlighting the sustainability of using an existing arena. Sebastian Samuelsson echoed this sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm for an Olympics in a location with a strong biathlon tradition, contrasting it with the recent Asian Olympics in Pyeongchang and Beijing. He anticipates a more accessible event for European fans.
Beyond the challenges posed by the altitude, the Antholz races hold significant weight for athletes vying for a spot on the World Championship team, with the team announcement scheduled for Sunday. Anna-Karin Heijdenberg is among the athletes fighting for a place on the team. Ella Halvarsson, who has been a breakout performer this season, surprised herself with a solid 18th-place finish, exceeding her own expectations for competing at altitude. She considers this a positive sign, suggesting that with acclimatization and further training, she could perform even better at the World Championships.
The competition in Antholz continued with the men’s sprint featuring Sebastian Samuelsson. The weekend’s schedule includes women’s and men’s pursuit races, as well as men’s and women’s relay events, offering opportunities for the athletes to gain further experience at altitude and refine their strategies ahead of the crucial championship events. The Antholz World Cup serves as a critical stepping stone, providing valuable insights and experience for the upcoming challenges at the World Championships and Winter Olympics.
The Swedish team’s performance in Antholz, while not yielding podium finishes, provided valuable learning opportunities in the challenging high-altitude conditions. The experience gained in managing pace, controlling breathing, and adapting to the altitude will be crucial for optimizing performance at the upcoming World Championships and the Winter Olympics. With the team selection for the World Championships imminent, the results from Antholz will undoubtedly play a significant role in the final decisions. The upcoming races in the pursuit and relay events offer further chances for the athletes to fine-tune their preparations and solidify their positions within the team. The atmosphere in Antholz, providing a preview of the anticipated Olympic fervor, adds an extra layer of significance to these races as the athletes prepare for the pinnacle of winter sports competition.
