Biathlon: what if Voldiya Galmace-Paulin won the IBU Cup’s big globe at the age of 19?
Starting this Wednesday, 19-year-oldVoldiya Galmace-Paulin is competing in the final leg of the 2024/2025 IBU Biathlon Cup in Otepää (Estonia). Leader of the overall rankings in February after completing the sprint/pursuit double in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna (Italy), the Montblanc native, who took part in the U22 World Championships, lost her throne last week.
Now 76 points ahead of her compatriot Camille Bened, Voldiya Galmace-Paulin is preparing to contest the first of the last two races of the winter.
“I couldn’t have imagined this at the start of the season, but I’ve got the junior world championships and the mass-start in Otepää next week to contend with. Since then, we’ve had two days off, which has allowed me to recover a bit. Physically, I’m still feeling good and my sensations are still responding well, she told Nordic Magazine. Mentally, I’ve been able to settle down, so I’m ready to go all out and give it my all in this final straight!”
A ticket to the World Cup also at stake
Over the next few competitions, then, Voldiya Galmace-Paulin will be battling it out for the overall IBU Cup ranking. “I know that, even though I’m quite a long way behind, I’m in the battle for the big one. But it’s not something I’m necessarily thinking about or my main objective this week, she admits. I just want to enjoy myself in the next two races and we’ll count the points at the end.”
As well as the crystal globe, the native of the Nordic region will be trying to secure a ticket to the World Cup finals in Oslo-Holmenkollen (Norway).
“Of course, it makes you dream, she says with a smile. It’s the goal of all of us to make it to the World Cup. Personally, I’m not necessarily thinking about it because I don’t see it as a goal for the end of the season. I’ve already done a lot of racing, so we’ll see!”
Despite the high stakes, Voldiya Galmace-Paulin isn’t putting any particular pressure on herself ahead of the Estonian competitions: “My aim will be to enjoy myself and put into practice all the things I’ve learnt throughout the season. The aim is to continue to gain experience that will enable me to progress for the future”, she concludes.
- The full programme for the second IBU Cup in Otepää, the ninth and final stage of the 2024/2025 B circuit season
- “We’ll have a full quota”: Cyril Burdet confirms that France will be sending nine girls to the World Cup finals in Oslo-Holmenkollen
- Race for tickets to the finals: the future French winner of the IBU Cup will not automatically be selected for the Oslo-Holmenkollen World Cup
- Top athlete at the Junior World Championships in Östersund, Amandine Mengin wins a quota for the World Cup finals in Oslo-Holmenkollen
- “She’s going back to France to recover from the World Cup and prepare for this event”: Amandine Mengin is set to discover the World Cup in Oslo-Holmenkollen
- Camille Bened, overall leader of the IBU Cup with two small globes already in her pocket, ahead of the final stretch of the season: “We’re going to have to race hard”.
