Yarovyi candid about season hopes ahead of World Cup

Ukraine’s biathlon and cross-country sprint world champion Maksym Yarovyi is playing his cards close to his chest ahead of the next World Cup in Western Center from Friday (13 January).

The competition will be the first of its kind to be held in Ukraine. Yarovyi did not want to give his rivals any indication of his game plan, despite beginning his season with three men’s cross-country sitting World Cup wins in Vuokatti, Finland, in December.

“As for the aims and plans for the competition, to be honest I don’t like to outline my plans, time will tell,” the Sochi 2014 sprint biathlon silver medallist said. “Of course, I’ll try to win several medals, but sport is sport. Anything can happen and it’s often unpredictable.”

The competition in Ukraine is also a chance for the organisers to show their capabilities in hosting such an important event. Yarovyi hopes that it will be a regular fixture on the circuit.

“Ukraine is ready to host a competition of this level,” he said. “It’s a huge step forward for my country and for the development of the sport within the country.

“Hopefully, this event will attract a lot of participants from all over the world and it would be good for us to host regular events in the future.”

As for the rest of the season, Yarovyi was similarly candid about his hopes. There will be a World Championships in Finsterau, Germany, from 10-19 February which will be the last major competition ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

If the results from this season’s World Cup are anything to go by, Ukraine could be a dominant force.

Live results from Western Center will be available throughout the competition, which runs until 20 January.

The Finsterau 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships will gather 135 of the world’s best biathletes and cross-country skiers from 25 countries. They will be followed by the PyeongChang 2018 Test Event from 10-15 March.