Biathlon: Voldiya Galmace-Paulin experiences her baptism of fire
Early on Thursday afternoon, 19-year-oldVoldiya Galmace-Paulin experienced her very first race on the IBU Cup biathlon circuit. Impressive a fortnight ago at the Bessans (Savoie) selections, the Montblanc native started with bib 101.
Although she didn’t steal the limelight from her elders Paula Botet and Chloé Chevalier, who won the double at the top of the rankings, the biathlete from SC Villard-sur-Boëge still shone. Twentieth on her debut on the World Cup satellite circuit, Voldiya Galmace-Paulin had the perfect springboard.
“It was a bit special because it was my first IBU Cup race and I wanted to do well. Of course, there was a little bit of apprehension, but I tried to approach these sprints without putting too much pressure on myself, just giving it my all, as I usually do”, she explained to Nordic Magazine.
The apprenticeship continues on Saturday
Although she feels that she is not in “the best shape of the year on skis”, she classed her twenty-sixth time on the track as “correct”.
“I tried to manage my race well. I like the track at Idre Fjäll, it’s quite hilly with some uphill sections that I wing well, she analyses. I shot an 8/10. I was a little short in that area because you really need to hit a shot that’s almost perfect to be out in front. In particular, I have one small regret about that last ball on the feet that got away from me.”
Despite everything, twentieth place remains a magnificent result for Voldiya Galmace-Paulin. “I didn’t really know where I stood because it was my debut in the IBU Cup, she says. I’m delighted to have achieved a top 20 in my first race, especially shooting 8/10. It shows that I’ve still got some margin in my shooting, so it’s encouraging for the future.”
On Saturday, after a day’s rest, the Haut-Savoyard will don her bib again for a second sprint at Idre Fjäll… with the aim of continuing her apprenticeship. “Discovering the IBU Cup at the start of the season is a great opportunity. It’s good for gaining experience because there’s a high level on this circuit with a lot of athletes coming from the World Cup. It can only help me improve and teach me lots of things for the future,” she concludes.
- Firsts for Martin Botet, Axel Garnier and Voldiya Galmace-Paulin: the full French team selection for the IBU Cups in Idre Fjäll and Geilo
- “We get on very well”: Anaëlle Bondoux and Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, the two French precociousness queens reunited at the IBU Cup
- Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, aged just 19, on her first IBU Cup selection: “It’s really good to discover a new circuit, it makes you want to do it”.
- Idre Fjäll: with 10/10, Paula Botet and Chloé Chevalier crushed the opening sprint of the women’s IBU Cup with a double victory
