As the IBU Biathlon World Cup got underway last week, one racer really rose to the challenge: Madshus biathlete Ann Kristin Aafedt Flatland (NOR).
And there were plenty of challenges in Oestersund this week, mostly forces of nature. In Sunday’s pursuit, the women started in winds of storm force and even stronger gusts. Flatland nailed every single target in her standing series at the range. Then the race was cancelled because most of the athletes were not and the range officials were reporting traffic jams on the penalty loop.
“I’m disappointed that they cancelled the race,” she said after the competition was called off.
“I have never been in a race with this much wind. The gusts at the range made it hard to stand upright, and when I came in for my prone shooting, I could hardly get down onto the mat, so they probably made a good call to cancel,” she said.
Flatland started first in the pursuit after winning the Friday competition, her second career World Cup victory, and is off to a great start to the Olympic season. Flatland is back on the Norwegian National Team after a break to give birth to her daughter.