Slovak Biathletes Secure Seventh Place in Ruhpolding World Cup Relay
The Slovak biathlon team, composed of Ema Kapustová, paulína Bátovská-Fialková, Anastasia Kuzminová, and Mária remeňová, delivered a strong performance at the 5th round of the World Cup in Ruhpolding, finishing seventh in the women’s 4×6 km relay. Despite falling behind the winning German team by 1:42.7 minutes, the slovak quartet showcased resilience and precision, especially in their shooting, wich required only five reloads throughout the race.
The event, held in the picturesque Bavarian town of Ruhpolding, saw fierce competition, with Norway securing second place (+17.4 seconds) and France rounding out the podium in third (+25.8 seconds).
A Promising Start and Steady Progress
ema Kapustová kicked off the relay for Slovakia, setting a solid foundation. After the first section, she was in 11th place, trailing the leaders by 26.3 seconds. Reflecting on her performance, Kapustová shared, “My goal was to pass to Paula with as little loss as possible. I knew that even with Nastya, they could pull off a lot on the run. My shooting time was slow, I was like in a trance, but the times were fast, and the items came out, which I’m glad about.”
Kapustová’s efforts paid off as she handed over to Paulína Bátovská-Fialková, who propelled the team to fourth place before eventually passing the baton in sixth position, 35.7 seconds behind the leading Finnish team. Bátovská-Fialková expressed her satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “We did a great relay, I’m very happy. Ema and Majka pulled it off with excellent shooting, Nastya and I tried our best running. It turned out to be a solid result, which makes us happy.”
Kuzminová and Remeňová’s Grit
Anastasia Kuzminová took over next, showcasing her strength on the track and maintaining Slovakia’s competitive position. She handed over to Mária Remeňová in sixth place, just 40.9 seconds behind the leaders. Kuzminová reflected on her performance, saying, “We managed the relay very well. It’s a shame for a few shots, but the overall result is perfect. Emka started it brilliantly, I fought as hard as I could. I was happy with a lovely zero lie, a small hesitation took me by a few seconds on the handstand.”
Remeňová, the team’s anchor, faced immense pressure but delivered a composed performance. She managed the final shooting in one shot, narrowly losing a position to her Austrian competitor. Despite this, she secured Slovakia’s seventh-place finish. Remeňová shared her thoughts, “Before the race, I was under a lot of stress, I tried to calm down somehow. It’s been a long time since we’ve been this high. Before handing over, I knew that we were around 5-9 places. I had to be precise at the shooting range and drive out to see someone, which I succeeded in doing.”
Key Takeaways from the Relay
The Slovak team’s performance in Ruhpolding highlights their growing potential in the biathlon world. Their ability to maintain composure under pressure and deliver consistent shooting results bodes well for future competitions.
| Key Highlights | Details |
|———————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Team Position | 7th place |
| Total Time Behind Leaders | 1:42.7 minutes |
| Shooting Performance | Only five reloads required |
| top Performers | Ema Kapustová (strong start), Paulína Bátovská-Fialková (excellent running) |
Looking Ahead
The Slovak biathletes’ performance in Ruhpolding is a testament to their hard work and determination. As they prepare for upcoming World Cup events, fans can expect more thrilling performances from this talented quartet.
For more details on the race, check out the full results and highlights.What are your thoughts on Slovakia’s performance in Ruhpolding? share your comments below and join the conversation!
