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Estonian Biathlon Team Pins Olympic Hopes on Relays Amid Health Hurdles
With the mixed relay on February 8th set as their primary target, Estonia's biathletes are completing final training in Anterselva for the Milan Cortina Games, banking on team cohesion to overcome a season marked by individual health setbacks for key athletes.
- —Estonian biathletes are finalizing preparations for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, with a strong emphasis on team relay events, particularly the mixed relay.
- —Several Estonian athletes, including Regina Ermits and Susan Külm, have overcome recent illnesses and physical issues to reach peak form for the Games.
- —Kristo Siimer is highlighted as a strong performer for the men's team, showing consistent improvement, while Rene Zahkna aims for his best individual performances despite a challenging season.
- —Young talents like Jakob Kulbin are making their Olympic debuts, bringing a mix of excitement and a desire to perform well in their first major international competition.
- —The Estonian coaching staff prioritizes the health of the athletes, recognizing it as crucial for success in the demanding Olympic schedule.
Recap
Estonia's Olympic biathlon strategy is a calculated gamble on collective strength over individual dominance. By prioritizing relay events, the team leverages recent successes and a blend of veteran experience with new talent. This ambition is directly threatened by the precarious health of several key athletes, making physical readiness, not just skill, the ultimate determinant of their performance in Milan Cortina.