An Interview with Sandrin Bailly
Question: You performed well at the beginning of the World Cup season, didnt you? Sandrine Bailly: Well, yes, I think so. It was only the first race that was a failure for me, but I was able to concentrate, won two races and rose to the podium one more time and besides during the race I dominated all the time. Yes, I think it was really a good start of the season. Q.: What encourages you for a spurt, if you failed the previous race. S.B.: I think that I dont like myself until I manage to do what I want. If I fail in a race, I think a lot about it then and it irritates me.
Q.: Sandrine loses her temper, when the thing deals with struggle is it really so? S.B.: I wouldnt say I lose my temper. Its not an appropriate word. I think I feel unsatisfied and I dont like this feeling.
Q.: Who of the girls do you think are worthy of paying attention to? The Russian Olgas? S.B. About 15 girls are in a good form. The Russians are very well-prepared now. I would name two Russians, Olga Pyleva and Olga Zaitseva. If they are not, then one or two Germans, as usual. Q.: The Germans are yielding their positions little by little. S.B.: Yes, youre right. The Germans started very well at the first WC stage, but by the end of December they really broke up. It seems to me that they cant stand three competition weeks. They worked a lot before the World Cup start and by the end of the latest stage they were physically exhausted.
Q.: While the French team had trainings in Finland, the French Cup in Bessan, almost attacked this season at the World Cup. S.B.: We approached the December stages in quite a good form due to different training programmes and far less races in November. We are probably not so good at the first stage, but then we manage to be in good form up to the end of three weeks. Q.: You worked more at weight-lifting exercises. How do you fell, did it bring results? S.B: Yes, I think, it worked really. I worked at hip muscles. It means, I still lack strength. I m light in weight and not robust. It obviously seems to be one of my weak points. Q.: Some types of snow cover must give you an advantage, which was confirmed in Oestersund. (After winning the Holmenkollen sprint race, Sandrine triumphed at the Oestersund porridgelike track, where she was the 1st in sprint and the 2nd in pursuit)
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S.B.: Oh, yes, its really so, because I have a sliding skiing technique. My skis usually slide very well, which gives me an indisputable advantage. Q.: Your style is really very elegant. S.B.: Its not an impressive one, although. I dont set a high tempo, as many other athletes do. In any case its an effective one, because I put the skis correctly and make them slide well. But when I get a bit tires, I lack strength in the upper part of the body, which sometimes makes me lose some time. Q.: How did you live through the Schalke adventures? Before winning the second position, you performed a show with your equipment, which came late and was delivered only after the qualifications. (Vincent Defrasne and Sandrine Bailly had to shoot with rifles borrowed from the German team during the qualification competition, because their luggage had been lost through the airline company fault) S.B.: Even the local media supported us for the luggage to be delivered faster. As a result we were the second. The performance was good, as the competition included 12 teams or in other words 24 world best biathletes, so the teams were strong. It was a pleasure for us. It was really great. Q.: There were more than 52.000 spectators. It must be very flattering to you. S.B: Of course, it impresses. But when youre in the centre of attention, you dont have a chance to glance at the stands. You can hear only the noise and it is the noise that impresses deeply. Its a perfect practice, because we need concentration at the shooting range, and one has to concentrate greatly in the presence of 52. 00 spectators. Q.: So, youll be in a good shape for the January WCs, wont you? S.B.: Ill try to continue the same way in January. We are in for three stages in January, but in Oberhof there will be only two French girls, Florence Baverel and I. Some girls had injuries and are now in worse condition that they could be. Thats why well have trainings and then a selection to the national team. I hope, that well be able to form a team by the Ruhpolding stage, as well need it for the relay to take part in it.
Sandrine, we wish you success and good luck with your skis.
Translated by Wilhelmina
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