Before the start of the men's sprint race the leader of the Austrian national team, located on the second place ranking overall World Cup answered some questions.

     -What were your purposes before coming to Khanty-Mansiysk?

     -It won’t be bad to win some race. To tell the truth I always have good impressions on World Cup in Khanty-Mansyisk. So I was the 3rd in sprint and pursuit races and the 5th in mass start. I’m also pleased with my results here in 2003 during the World Championship. I do well here, I like the course and feel myself great.

     -What are your achievements the most important this season?

     -Two medals at the Olympic Games are, of course, my pride! In addition I’m not very far from the yellow shirt and the gap from its owner Emil Svendsen is just 9 points, so I still have a chance at the World Cup.

     -Overall, however, at the Olympics something more was expected from the Austrian biathletes. Can you comment on or explain the reasons?

     -Actually, the Austrian team had silver in the relay, my silver in pursuit race and a few decent positions in the top ten. Of course, two medals - it's like nothing for the whole team. Yes, maybe the luck didn’t always smile to us, but you must understand: this is a great sport. And if we work hard all the time, it will affect the results.

     -What can you say about the mixed relay, because men in your team are very strong and almost no women?

     -We have a really strong male component, and almost an absence of female. I must say that until last year there was only one girl in our team. But now everything has changed - last spring three athletes came from the ski team. They started shooting a year ago and it is too early to talk about the results. They need to train a lot, and maybe next year we will be able to compete for prizes in this format.

     -What are your impressions on the reconstruction of the stadium in Khanty-Mansyisk?

     -Everything has really changed after the reconstruction. I like the stadium, the stands became closer to the courses and concerning the number of spectators they have too liked the reconstruction of the Nordic Ski Center.

     -What can you say about the courses?

     -Here are little changes from year to year - quite a strong wind, challenging climbs. It's a really difficult stage, and in comparison with the others you should have a special ski training, because of the peculiarities of local snow. But I hope I succeed!

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