Kuelm wins Estonia’s First IBU Cup Title world Cup.
From Otepää, Estonia, the final IBU Cup race of the season was historic in the Short Individual races. Norway’s Sivert Guttorm Bakken took the men’s title and Estonia’s Susan Kuelm made history with her win. Kuelm became the first Estonian ever to win an IBU Cup race, and the fans on site as well as the organizing committee were delighted. Individual Cup Score winners were Voldiya Galmace Paulin (France) and Isak Frey (Norway).
Le Grand Bornandi maailmakarikaetapi naiste 7,5 km sprindis sai Eesti koondislastest parimana Johanna Talihärm 66. koha (2+1; +2:52.8 ).
— Estonian Biathlon Team (@estbiathlonteam) December 20, 2024
Tuuli Tomingas sai 69., Susan Külm 82. ja Hanna-Brita Kaasik 91. koha.
📷: Greta Külvet pic.twitter.com/HF1O7egR90
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20/20 takes Rob Kuelm and Estonia for the Real Glory
On the shooting range, Susan Kuelm had a perfect showing hitting all 20 targets and crossed the finish line in 39:08.5. Norway’s Karoline Erdal, in 5.6 seconds behind with one shooting penalty, followed closely behind. Camille Bened of France came in third, just 6.4 seconds behind but with two penalties.
France’s Voldiya Galmace Paulin was fourth, 31.5 seconds back with two shooting penalties. Swiss Lea Meier completed the podium in fifth place, 31.9 seconds adrift of Kuelm. Finishing sixth, 37.8 seconds behind after three penalties, Paula Botet of France had the fastest skiing time. The 19-year-old Galmace Paulin also took home the crown Individual Cup Score champion.
The Winner’s Words — Susan Kuelm
She said that “It’s a great day for me and biathlon in Estonia because it is the first victory in history in IBU Cup for us. But I knew that after I got sick last week I had to shoot 20 out of 20 to have a chance.” The first call I made when crossing the finish line, was to my mom. “She’s my first lieutenant in everything – win, lose, happy, unhappy.
Bakken Threads Women’s Short Individual:
Norway’s Sivert Guttorm Bakken won the men’s Short Individual in 40:00.5. Germany’s Roma Rees took second, 21.0 seconds behind, and compatriot Lucas Fratzscher was third and 1:35.9 of the pace.
Johan Olav Botn of Norway, who had the fastest time skiing, finished fourth, 1.3 seconds behind Fratzscher. Fifth, France’s Gaetan Paturel, 2:32.2 behind Bakken, while another Norwegian, Sverre Dahlen Aspenes back at the IBU Cup, was sixth with a time of 2:43.9.
Sivert Guttorm Bakken
“It was a tough battle. I’d missed two shots, but fortunately none of the favorites shot clean. In reality, the Individual event is not my favored discipline, but I’ve been achieving satisfactory results in it lately. The cooler temperatures that we had here compared to last week definitely helped me get around on the tracks a little easier.”
Meanwhile, on the Individual Cup Score side, the title was taken by Isak Frey, who is currently competing at Pokljuka for a place on the Norwegian World Cup team. His coach, Anders Oeverby, picked up the trophy on his behalf.