Biathlon: in her first pursuit with bib number 1, Voldiya Galmace-Paulon coped perfectly with the pressure
The French women’s biathlon team is definitely in good form. Paula Botet from Bresse dominated the IBU Cup circuit in December, followed by Amandine Mengin in January, but Voldiya Galmace-Paulin has been on a winning streak since the start of February.
After winning the sprint in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna (Italy) on Wednesday, the Montblanc native followed up her victory on Friday afternoon by dominating the pursuit. “It was a bit special because it was the first time I’d led an international pursuit. There was that apprehension, but I tried to approach it as an individual race, especially on the shooting range, so as not to be distracted by the girls who might be coming up,” she explained to Nordic Magazine.
Although she also said that she “didn’t really know what pace to start at” in the first round, the 19-year-old Frenchwoman believes that she “managed it quite well”.
Where Voldiya Galmace-Paulin really shone was on the shooting range. “I missed the last one on the first dive and then shot 15/15. So I’m really pleased with my shot, she enthused. Especially as I came out on top in the last stand-up for the win. I’m glad I got the 5/5 at that point!”
The big globe has not become his goal
The Villard-sur-Boëge ski club member is understandably delighted with her string of victories. “I would never have imagined before the start of the season that I’d do a double in the IBU Cup. It’s just incredible, I’m so happy, she says. It’s great to see that the training is paying off and that things are falling into place. I’m also pleased with the progress I’ve made with my shooting. At the start of the season, I wouldn’t have been able to come up with one last shot and score 5/5.”
Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, the new leader of the IBU Cup overall rankings, is not getting carried away. I”t’s true that I’m in the lead, but the big globe hasn’t become my objective, she says. My objective is still the World Junior Championships, so I’ll see how the rest of my winter goes. I’ll take it one race at a time and see what happens.”
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- Voldiya Galmace-Paulin tells Nordic Magazine after her first IBU Cup victory: “One of the best races I’ve ever done”.
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