GRP Biathlon: Rupholding and Osrblie
The GRP Cedar Sprig biathletes delved into the 2nd week of racing past the new year with World Cup racing in Germany and IBU Cups in Slovakia.
World Cup
The Rupholding World Cup is one of the most popular biathlon venues often with over 20,000 spectators in attendance. The high speed of the course along with a quiet range (not much wind) made for intense and close high quality competition. Racing commenced with the women’s relay in which GRPer Margie Freed once again anchored the women’s relay, this time to 11th. Margie then had her first clean (no misses) in a World Cup race, finishing in 40th in the sprint. The following days’ pursuit saw her drop back to 56th to finish out the weekend.
Up next: Nove Mesto Na Morave, Czech Republic Jan 22-25 (and Bjorn’s World Cup debut!!!!)
World Cup results
*All WC races can be live-streamed for free on Eurovision after creating a free account
*You can also follow both the World and IBU Cups via the Official IBU App
IBU Cup
Looking over the Brezno river in Slovakia
GRPers Jackie Garso, Bjorn Westervelt, and Luke Brown traveled to just outside Brezno, Slovakia to race at Osrblie. The week started with a tough mixed relay for the team, getting lapped before the 3rd leg after tough shooting. Things turned up in the sprint with Jackie finishing in 46th shooting 9/10, Bjorn placing 33rd going 8/10, and Luke ending the day in 82nd with 6/10 shooting. In the following Mass Start 60, Jackie placed 58th while Bjorn was 55th for the men.
“We saw some cool cars, did some racing, and headed to Nove Mesto!” - Bjorn (the team stayed in a hotel that was attached to a car museum)
Up next: a week off before Open European Championships Jan 28 - Feb 1 in Sjusjoen, Norway