Olympics-Biathlon-Altitude and punishing climbs to test biathletes at Games, says Brorsson

By Philip O'Connor

ANTERSELVA, Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) - With the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena situated some 1600 metres above sea level, competitors taking part in the Milano Cortina Games will face a tough challenge as they seek to shoot clean after negotiating a lung-bursting, energy-sapping course.

Swedish former biathlete Mona Brorsson, Olympic champion in the women's relay at Beijing 2022, skied the track on Saturday before giving an insight into what former teammates and rivals face when competition gets under way with Sunday's mixed relay.

"I said in the beginning that Antholz is an easy course, there's no super-steep hills, it's easy to follow - I skied around it today and I regret everything! I take back everything I said!" she told Reuters, standing a stone's throw from the finishing line at the arena.

"It's the altitude. The altitude will always be a factor here. Now, all the teams will come here well-prepared and acclimatised, but you shouldn't underestimate this altitude. It's around 1600 metres, and you need to ski with your head (concentrate)."

At the Games as an expert commentator for Swedish state broadcaster SVT, the 35-year-old has kept herself in shape since retiring in 2024 but was surprised how much energy climbing the final hill took as she completed her assessment of the course.

"You get a lot of understanding for the difference between being well-trained - that's one thing - and being an elite biathlete, which is a completely different thing. I have a lot of respect for those who are here, who are fighting at this level. They have battled hard to get where they are.

"The difference with the elite is huge, and it's just that last few percent - you lose it very quickly, even if you keep on training. It's the small percentages that can make a huge difference and, yes, not many can reach that level."

Though Brorsson is pining for the days when she herself would be swishing around the track before firing a volley of shots at the targets, she is relishing the chance to watch Sunday's relay, which promises to be a thriller.

"Sweden has a very good chance of winning a gold medal, but the mixed relay is also the most difficult discipline to take a medal in because there are many countries that have two good guys and two good girls," she explained.

Brorsson tipped France, Sweden and Italy for the podium.

"I see it as possible that maybe six or seven different nations could get involved - we have Germany, we have Czech Republic, Finland, the U.S. could cause a shock. There are many who can do it, and it will be so exciting."