Kaja Zorc from Slovenia won the junior biathlon individual over 12.5 kilometers at the Youth and Junior World Championships in Shchuchinsk, Kazakhstan.
In the competition for those born between 2001 and 2003, the 19-year-old won the title with three shooting errors in 42:37.3 minutes and relegated the two French women Jeanne Richard (4 errors/+ 34.9 seconds) and Leonie Jeanniere (4/+ 36 ,3).
Three perfect shooting bouts despite strong winds
A lot of wind blew over the shooting range – not easy conditions for the runners. Nonetheless, Zorc started with perfect shooting, followed by three penalties in first standing that temporarily dropped her to 18th.
But the Slovenian stayed calm, hit all the targets from then on and went into the final lap as the leader. She defended this lead to the finish.
“Did not expect that”
“I really didn’t expect it so I’m very happy and satisfied with the race”said Zorc after her first World Cup victory. “My first standing today was pretty tough but in the end I managed to make only three penalties so it was ok.”
| Competition | Time | winner |
|---|---|---|
Youth Mixed Relay | 03/04/2023 | Norway |
Junior Mixed Relay | 03/04/2023 | Germany |
Youth female singles, 10 km | 05.03.2023 | Julia Kink (GER) |
Youth male singles, 12.5 km | 05.03.2023 | Jakub Borgula (SVK) |
Junior women singles, 12.5 km | 03/06/2023 | Kaja Zorc (SLO) |
Junior singles, 15 km | 03/06/2023 | |
Youth female relay, 3 x 6 km | 07.03.2023 | |
Youth male relay, 3 x 7.5 km | 07.03.2023 | |
Junior women relay, 4 x 6 km | 03/08/2023 | |
Junior relay, 4 x 7.5 km | 03/08/2023 | |
Youth female sprint, 6 km | 03/10/2023 | |
Youth male sprint, 7.5 km | 03/10/2023 | |
Junior women’s sprint, 7.5 km | 03/11/2023 | |
Junior Sprint, 10 km | 03/11/2023 | |
Youth Female Pursuit, 7.5 km | 03/12/2023 | |
Youth male pursuit, 10 km | 03/12/2023 | |
Junior women’s pursuit, 10 km | 03/12/2023 | |
Junior Pursuit, 12.5 km | 03/12/2023 |