[back]

Are you more relaxed on the standing shooting stand than in the past?

Kati Wilhelm: Definitely, I think I'm much more relaxed than before. On the training days before competition I don't tend to think so much about shooting, but at the moment everything is fine. When it all works, I don't have to think about many other things or mistakes, which is good.

Who are your main opponents?

Wilhelm: Sandrine Bailly [of France] is one of the biggest opponents, but also [Russia's] Olga Pyleva. At the moment both of them are on a high level, but there are also many other athletes who can fight for the medals. The German team is in good shape, especially Uschi Disl, Katrin Apel and Martina Glagow (Martina won`t compete in World championship due to illness – Noted by Biathlonlife).

As a former X-Country skier you belong with the best athletes on the slopes. Do you actually wax your own skis?

Wilhelm: No, those times have gone. Nowadays waxing has become such a science that everybody needs specialists with high-level experience. We still chose our skis before the start, but they do all the preparation work.

What about your own preparation for the world championships? Are you in a good shape?

Wilhelm: Before the world championships you cannot train very hard. You have to keep your shape and you have to work on many little details like the shooting-technique. Sometimes we also do a few little sprints to hone our pace. All the time you have to concentrate on your strengths.

Do you think you will be very disappointed if you don't win gold?

Wilhelm: Gold is not my first goal. My goal is a medal - whatever the colour. For sure I'll be very happy if I get a medal. But I'm not the only favourite, there are many others who can win a medal.

My season so far has been very good and if I can take the gold it will be like a dream come true for me. But in this case you have to be very strong on both the cross-country ski-runs and on the shooting stops.

In the last world championships you won the relay bronze with Germany. Which kind of discipline is your favourite?

 Wilhelm: The championships will start with the sprint, so at first I have to concentrate on that. To ensure my place in the relay team you have got to bring home the bacon in the individual events. My main disciplines are the mass start and the pursuit. Last year we won the relay bronze, this year we'll go better.

How will you spend the last days before the world championsips?

Wilhelm: At the moment we are staying in Ridnaun, Italy, where we are all training together. The most important thing is to check the new shooting area. The cross-country ski track is also new, so we'll have to go out and memorise the course.