First day of the World Cup Finals concluded

The IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup Finals in Surnadal began with official training Monday. Over 100 athletes from 11 countries will compete in classic and freestyle cross-country, as well as biathlon.

On the first day of training, the athletes were met by lovely conditions and sunny weather, and Norwegian Nils-Erik Ulset told www.surnadalil.no that he is now really looking forward to the World Cup Finals.

- My first impression is that this will be a great event, and I can not wait for the races to start, Ulset said.

Tight title race

The three-time Paralympics and four-time World Championships gold medalist currently sits at second place in the IPC World Cup Nordic Skiing biathlon rankings - Men's standing.

Russian Vladislav Lekomtcev, who won two gold and three bronze medals at the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, holds the lead with 440 points, while Ulset and Ukrainan Ihor Reptyukh are tied for second at 415.

Ulset is aiming towards winning his sixth overall biathlon World Cup, and is relishing the fierce competition from Lekomtcev and Reptyukh.

- The race for the title will be really tight, Ulset predicts. He has chosen not to compete in the 20 km cross-country on Tuesday in order to be fresh for the biathlon 7,5 km sprint on Wednesday. 

Close to home

The 31-year-old from Tingvoll, only 53 km from Surnadal, is looking forward to competing in "his own neighbourhood".

- Surnadal and Nordmarka is so close to my hometown, it would be great to win the biathlon World Cup here. Hopefully the fact that it is close to home gives me an advantage, Ulset says.

Race schedule Tuesday March 17th:
 

10.00 – LW 10 – 12 Sit-ski, women 12 km (4 x 3 km)
10.40 – LW 10 – 12 Sit-ski, men 15 km  (5 x 3 km)
11.40 – LW 2 – 9 Standing, women 15 km (5 x 3 km)
11.45 – B 1 – 3 Visually impaired, women 15 km (5 x 3 km)
12.45 – LW 2 – 9 Standing, men 20 km (4 x 5 km)
13.00 – B 1-3 Visually impaired, men 20 km (4 x 5 km)