Zina Kocher is hoping to defy the odds and provide Canada with an unexpected biathlon medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Montreal Gazette reports.
Kocher is competing in the women's 7.5-kilometre sprint at the
Whistler Olympic Park, but the fact that she is only ranked 22nd by the International Biathlon Union has led to little expectation of a high-flying performance.
Much will depend on how the 27-year-old stars in the shooting discipline, with her confidence being high following a fine fourth-place finish in a World Cup pursuit event in Slovenia.
On that occasion she failed to collect any time penalties by successfully hitting all 20 targets on the shooting range, a performance she hopes to replicate in Vancouver.
Kocher told the publication: "I'm not expected to be on the podium. I hope to be, but I'm not expected to be there.
"I have to focus on my breathing, rhythm and staying calm. It's relaxing coming into the range and looking at the wind flags, the lane you're going to choose and checking the target."
All cross-country skiing techniques are permitted in biathlon, with all targets on the shooting range flipping from black to white when hit to provide visual feedback to the athletes.
Written by Chris Smith
