The right to make a mistake: why Loginov should not be criticized for failure in the individual biathlon World Cup

A chance to make history and five misses

After two medals that Alexander Loginov won in the first personal races of the World Cup, the fans almost demanded that he win the individual. It was possible to understand them, because the leader of the Russian team not only demonstrates an excellent move in Anterselva, but also established work at the frontiers.

I especially wanted to believe in his victory because domestic biathletes have not won in this form at the World Cup since 1996. And Alexander had a great chance to go down in history.

But he did not use it. The athlete from Saratov again showed excellent speed. He showed the fifth move and lost in this component only to the fastest rivals: Kenten Fillon Maya, Martin Fourcade, Johannes Boe and Johannes Dale.

But they provided the Russians with an excellent opportunity to take the next medal, allowing misses at the firing lines. Alas, Loginov himself was not ideal in shooting. With five unclosed targets, he did not have to count on getting into the top three. Moreover, to the unfortunate last stand, Alexander’s position was not critical, but three misfires did not allow him to climb high.

High expectations and pressure from rivals

On the one hand, performance in an individual race is difficult to place the leader of a domestic team in an asset, on the other hand, he earned the right to fail with his results. In the end, at the World Cup in the fight against the strongest biathletes on the planet, it’s hard to always stay on top.

For example, the same Fillon Maye, despite the high speed, made four misses and finished only seventh. Tarja Be at the last frontier did not close two targets and also remained without awards. And Simon Child did only once in the top 10 in personal races at the current World Cup. Loginov, however, remains enviable stability and even with five mistakes he managed to break into the top 15.

In addition, we must not forget that the Russian citizen, unlike his rivals, is under enormous moral pressure. After winning the sprint, opponents literally pounced on him, who with pleasure remembered the doping past and admitted that they were not happy about Alexander's success. But Loginov did not break it, and in the pursuit race he again showed a high result. Moreover, in the first two races, he made only one mistake.

The course of the domestic athlete is impressive at all. Three weeks before the championship of the planet, the Saratovets was far from ideal conditions and could not compete on equal terms with the strongest biathletes. However, the team's coaches promised to bring the leader to life and kept their promise. At the championship of the planet Loginov appeared almost the strongest version of himself. What is worth at least a sprint, where he lost only Fillon Maya. And in the future did not lose speed, although he took part in absolutely all races.

At the same time, we must not forget that in January the Russian experienced serious problems with his elbow. Then he was even forced to miss the baton at the World Cup in Oberhof. And before the start of the season Loginov, by his own admission, could not normally get out of bed due to pain.

Thus, Alexander’s 15th place is not a reason for serious criticism. Loginov has good chances to win awards in the mass start and relay race. In this regard, two days of rest (the Russian will not take part in the single mix due to discomfort in the knee) will come in handy.

Porshnev's best career result and relay team roster

Do not criticize other domestic biathletes too much, in the end, three of them got into the top 15. From the point of view of the struggle in the Nations Cup, this is a good result. Particularly pleased with Nikita Porshnev, who with two misses showed the best result in his career at the World Cup and KM - 11th place. But earlier, with perfect work at the borders, he took the 21st line in the sprint. And only in the pursuit of another native of Saratov in the team did not look the best way. Thus, while he fully justifies the trust of trainers.

On the 14th this time, Evgeny Garanichev finished. At the same time, he showed the best move in the team after Loginov. Unfortunately, three misses did not allow an experienced athlete to rise higher, but he managed for the first time in this tournament to climb into the top 20.

It is hoped that in the remaining races, Russian men will not stop at two Loginov awards and replenish the team’s medal piggy bank. In the mass start, the chances for this are great for Alexander himself. Traditionally, Russians will compete for prizes and relay races.

The composition on it so far raises many questions. Almost certainly, for the second year in a row, a reliable Porshnev will get a chance to play in this discipline. Apparently, the 21-year-old Karim Khalili will be released. In any case, the coaching staff directly declares that the talented junior did not just come to Anterselva. The company they will probably make Eliseev Loginov. In addition, Matvey, who received an extra day of rest, will take part in the single mix.