NRK expert Ola Lunde disapproves of women's selection for the Biathlon World Cup – and gets a swipe from the national team director in return.
- Ida Lin took the last place in the women's squad for the Biathlon World Cup, but NRK biathlon expert Ola Lunde believes Maren Kirkedy should have taken that place.
- Both athletes recently had strong performances during the European Biathlon Championships in Slovakia.
- According to Lundy, Kirkeeide could gain valuable tournament experience by participating in the World Series.
- National team manager Per Arne Putnan defends the selection, saying Lian has achieved his best World Cup result so far.
The women's team participating in the Biathlon World Cup was completed on Monday. The last place remained open until after the European Championship, which ended at the weekend.
Ida Lin I got the place at the expense of Marine Helmist Kirkidi.
-I was a little surprised by the withdrawal. I was pretty sure that it would be Maren Kirkidi who would get the last place, says NRK biathlon expert Ola Lunde to VG.
Kirkedy returned home from the European Commission with gold in the regular distance, start pursuit and mixed relay and silver in the sprint. Lien won gold in the sprint and mixed relay, and placed fourth in the regular distance and start pursuit.
– Ida Lin was chosen because she has greater cross-country skiing ability. But it was unstable to shoot, especially in the standing position. It would have been well deserved if Kirkedy had been ejected after her performance at the EC, Lundy continues.
- The 2024 Biathlon World Cup starts on February 7 with the mixed relay. The tournament is shared between NRK and TV 2, and can also be followed on VG Live.
Per Arne Putnan, national biathlon team director, says they would have liked to have both.
– Marin performed well at the European Championships, but Ida had her best World Cup result ever. “It is a comprehensive assessment of what has been achieved in advance,” Putnan tells VG.
He was not surprised by NRK expert Lundy's comments.
– Ola Lundy's starting point is that he must always disagree with us, so that there can be some debate. So it's not unusual for Ola to disagree.
Lundy answers this:
Putnan always says that about me when I disagree with him. There are two times I meant something this year. There have been many walkouts where I haven't said anything.
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Ida Lin was surprised to come back: “It was hell.”
“It's very nice to be back,” says biathlon player Ida Lian (26 years old) after a very successful return to the top.
Kirkedy's best World Cup finish is 29th this season. Leanne finished ninth in the regular distance in the final round of the World Cup in Interselva, after what she described as a “hell” of the fall.
Botnan says it would be better for Kirkedy's development if she was allowed to play at the level she is at now – the level she was at during the World Cup.
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