site.btaBulgarian Biathletes Aim for Top-10 Finishes at Winter Games

The Secretary General of the Bulgarian Biathlon Federation, Borislav Pankov, hopes Bulgarian athletes will achieve top-10 finishes in some events at the Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina. Bulgaria is sending full teams of four athletes in both men’s and women’s competitions, with the first event, the mixed relay (4 × 6 km), set for February 8 in Antholz–Anterselva. “We are aiming for a top 10, and even eighth place would be good. Our greatest potential is in the women’s individual events and in the relays, especially the mixed relay,” Pankov told reporters.

“All our athletes are healthy now and expected to be in good form. The last training sessions showed stability in skiing and shooting, so we enter the races with hope,” he added.

Women’s team leader Milena Todorova, who missed last month’s training, is fully ready to compete. The Bulgarian athletes are familiar with the Antholz–Anterselva course, which is challenging due to its altitude of around 1,600 meters. Pankov noted, “There is a series of climbs and interval sections, and the uphill approach to the shooting range is a bit unusual, but they have practiced it many times.”

He stressed that skiing performance will be key: “The main potential lies in how fast each athlete can ski because, in shooting, anyone can reach zero misses. The question is, after shooting clean, how far can you go and where can you place?”

Pankov is confident the waxing team will provide optimal skis: “We have tested on both new and old snow, so we are ready for all conditions.”

Men’s team leader Vladimir Iliev will serve as Bulgaria’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony in Cortina d’Ampezzo, alongside other national team athletes.