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Point of view of  the analyst

Article 4. "Golden classic"

Some years ago a January serie of World cup stages in the middle of the Europe, including starts in Oberhof, Ruhpolding and Antholz, was called the Biathlon Trophy. Enterprising sponsors remember about biathlon�s popularity in the heart of the Europe, entrusted additional prize money for the prize-winners of each race, and the winner of all tournament received the automobile. Since present season IBU added in this list the stage in Khanty-Mansiysk and given to the tournament a new name, in my opinion, more suitable � �Golden classic�. Certainly, it�s a great honor for Siberian town, which has one of the most modern in the world biathlon arena, to get in such company. Stages of  �Golden classics� always characterized by large number of spectators, magnificent atmosphere on the tribunes, a high level arena�s preparation (evening races in Ruhpolding were especially remembered because of artificial illumination) and fierce struggle on distances, in the middle of a season the most of the biathletes get the best conditions.

Part 1. After holidays.

Christmas and New Year holidays made a great influence to the arrangement of forces, in what spectators could be convinced already at the first races of Oberhof stage. Organizers decided to open a stage with relays, and already in the first day of competitions get a surprise, probably, the most unexpected in this season. The man's team Sweden gained the first victory in the last 15 years. The second place was taken by the Germans, defeated in the persistent struggle, Russians due to the better speed on the ski track. Norwegian team was disqualified. Lars Berger were jumping from mat to mat with the weapon in his hands, trying to catch the jumped out patron, and make public laughing with his action. Female race weren�t so rich on surprises and, eventually, was reduced to traditional rivalry of Russia and Germany. Host team ran faster, but they made errors in shooting, that however, has not prevented them to achieve the deserved victory.

Weak physical conditions of Russian team caused anxiety, which was not vain, individual starts where Russians did not get medals confirmed it. Russian team officials noticed that, the main reason of such recession became severe Russian winter. Sportsmen have been let off home for holidays, and it was impossible to save good form with the temperature - 20�С under zero.

However, problems of the Russian team have remained in the shadow of brilliant performance of Uschi Disl and Sven Fisher. Fischer, who started in a native land, has shown an excellent speed and beat in the sprint young father Frode Andresen with the equal number of misses. As well as Fisher competed Uschi, who filled up her account, taking  gold, silver and yellow bib in addition.

Part 2. Hat-trick under the floodlights.

A couple of years ago organizers of Ruhplolding stage had an experience of caring out competition at night with floodlights in order to attract more spectators to the arena and TV-screens. However sportsmen were discontent with such invention and complained on poor light on some parts of the race and on a shooting line. Organizers decided to revive this idea in this season, improving the quality of illumination. As a result, television ratings of biathlon broke all records in Germany, and sportsmen have found race with floodlights rather attractive.

The only thing that could disappoint spectators is absence of German victories. That fact, only representatives of two countries managed to step on the top of podium, hardly will be for them a consolation. However, despite of the triumph of Russia and Norway, it�s better to say the triumph of two representatives of these countries, this stage wasn�t passed without surprises. Svetlana Chernousova, who last time plied between the main national team and the team of the European cup, surprised by her win. However, illness of her namesake Ishmuratova allowed her to take part in race and to show absolutely the best time. Her team-mate Pyleva had later starting number and knew Svetlana's time, but she didn`t deprive her first victory and finished with absolutely identical result.

A surprise of man's race became The third place of Italian Rene Lauran Vuillermoz became a surprise of men`s race. The young athlete shot flawless and lost only to well-known masters Bjoerndalen and Poiree.

Bjoerndalen and Pyleva fixed they success finally in pursuit, winning all three races. Though, Norwegian won with ease inherent in him, Olga took advantage of an oversight of another competitor. Chinese woman Liu Xianing so wanted to take the first victory in her career, that, didn`t coped with nerves, had fallen on the last turn. It is a pity for her, but severe sports don�t forgive mistakes. In general qlassification triumphers of Ruhpolding also inproved their positions. Olga returned herself to the first place in total score, and Ole Einar became a leader of  �Golden classic�. He value victory in this tournament more than Crystal Globe.

Part 3. Undefeatable.

Modern sport is characterized by growing competition among athletes, increasing of total level of results, unpredictability of the winner. This factors show sport progress and influence on its popularity. Domination of one athlete not only kills the intrigue, but also can decrease interest to the sport. So there�s a falling of Formula-1 rating, caused by the total domination of Michael Schumaher, that compel organizers of the races to set up different limits to make chances of competitions more equal.  It�s hard to say is it necessary to infinite victories Бьорндалена. For ex., to force him with the purpose of counteraction to use only one ski at a stage or �in order to safety� to limit his speed on a penalty lap. Such ideas come to our mind, when we see how the sportsman in the same style wins 5 races in a row, establishes a record for all skiing sports on number of victories per career, brings to all contenders almost 3-minute superiority on 20km distance and 2-minute on 12,5km, hits 49 of 50 targets, thus he shoots even faster than almost all competitors. It�s difficult to describe with poor numbers the superiority of Ole Einar above other competitors and a level of his biathlon in Antholz. It should be seen. Last season Raphael Poiree pleased us the with the biathlon of highest level. If he competed in Antholz in such excellent form, he could render a competition to the Norwegian, but hardly had chances to win.

Nevertheless, it�s harder to believe that IBU decide to set up described measures. the main reason is not because Anders Besseberg, the IBU President, is a compatriot of Bjoerndalen and not because such measures in formula-1 didn�t give needed results, but because unlimited leadership isn�t interesting for Bjoerndalen and he finds an additional tests for him, such as cross country championships, where he dreams to become the Olympic champion. It is paradoxical, but the fact: the sportsman who has gained in this season 7 from 12 races, in which took part, is not the main favorite of World cup. That means that spectators, nevertheless, will receive a long-awaited intrigue in the struggle for the honorable trophy.

Sergei Tchepikov can also add the Antholz tournament in his active. The outstanding veteran traditionally strong in Italy and his second result in the stage after Bjoerndalen allowed Sergei to meet his 38-birthday with the proud. Sandrin Bailly should be noted among women. She get the excellent form in Antholz. If a bad shooting didn`t let her to win in individual and sprint, in pursuit her advantage in skiing brought a first in 2005 victory to her. the sprint winner Kati Wilhelm is also in a hot streak. She became the second in total score of the World cup and going to fight for her first title.

Upcoming stage isn�t ordinar. Biathletes will try their forces in the centre of the next year Games � Torino. Important aspects are tests of various methods of preparation, acquaintance with the race. At last, the winner of the race in Torino next year will be already considered as one of the favorites.