Hanna Öberg, Sebastian Samuelsson and and the rest of the Swedish national biathlon team have experience of evening championships from two Olympics.
In both South Korea and China, the contests were decided late to accommodate European television audiences.
The World Cup, on the other hand, is usually decided in the afternoons. But this year it will be different. Only three races – all on the women’s side – start before half past five in the Czech Nove Mesto. A competition starts as late as 6pm.
– I think it’s much more fun, it’s like a different show, says Sebastian Samuelsson and adds:
– I’m quite good at staying up a little later and then you get to sleep a little longer. But those who feel that they have to get up at seven o’clock … then it will be difficult. Then it’s ten hours until the start and then the risk is that you will get a little tired.
Fakta.VM schedule
February 7, 5:20 PM: Mixedstafett.
February 9, 5:20 PM: Sprint, ladies.
February 10, 5:05 PM: Sprint, gentlemen.
February 11, 2:30 PM & 5:05 PM: Hunting start, ladies & hunting start, men.
February 13, 5:10 PM: Distance, ladies.
February 14, 5:20 PM: Distance, gentlemen.
February 15, 6 p.m.: Single mixed relay.
February 17, 1:45 PM & 4:30 PM: Relay, ladies & relay, men.
February 18, 2:15 & 4:30: Mass start, ladies & mass start, men.
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The Swedish team already started last summer to put in what are called focus sessions late in the afternoon. The preparations have continued during the pre-camp before the WC.
– I don’t really have any major problems with late competitions, but you need to be aware of how it affects recovery. You might not be able to go to bed at ten o’clock, says Hanna Öberg.
– It is the experience from when we have competed late, that you need to change the clock a little and not get up too early.
To avoid wrestling with too long a wait and nervousness during competition days, it is then a matter of getting active. That’s what both veteran Mona Brorsson and national team coach Johannes Lukas say.
Otherwise there is a risk of what footballers usually call hotel death.
– A lot is about what you do in the morning, that you don’t burn your powder too early. But also learn to deal with boredom, says Brorsson.
– It is something you are often not prepared for before a championship, that there is a lot of dead time.
The WC squad has talked about how they should get active, without it taking too much energy. Hanna Öberg mentions walks and fresh air.
– Then some are good at playing games and some, who do, at studying, says Johannes Lukas.
– It is individual what they come up with, but it really is important to be prepared.
Mona Brorsson. Archive image. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT
Shooting in the dark shouldn’t be a problem though. The lighting is so good and with a base in Östersund, electric lights are not unusual for the Swedes.
– It can actually be a bit cozy. Like when you were a child and drove with marshals in small competitions, says WC rider Linn Persson and laughs.
Hanna Öberg again:
– It’s clear that it’s a little different than if it’s very bright sunlight, but it’s nothing that should affect anything major. And I almost shoot better in slightly worse lighting conditions.
Read more:
Everything before the Biathlon World Cup in Nove Mesto – programme, Swedish medal chances and snacks
2024-02-06 05:09:24
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