This winter Teja Gregorin didn't find the right form until the matches in Anterselva, but the 6th place in pursuit is an excellent prediction for the Olympic Games.
The 33-year-old Gregorin, presently 25th in the World Cup with 219 points, achieved the best result of the season at the last stop before Sochi. During the last days at Pokljuka she tried to make the last improvements in shooting. In Vancouver she finished 5th in the mass start race, until the last shooting even a medal was within her reach.
The member of the Nika Ihan Sport Club has stood twice in her career on the winner's podium. The most attention-grabbing success was the silver medal in the individual event (15 km) in 2009 at the World Championship in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Only the 'little red riding hood’ Kati Wilhelm was faster. Two years ago in Oslo she finished as third in the mass start event. She was fourth tree times, fifth six times, and she finished among the best ten a number of times.
How satisfied are you with your performances in this year's World Cup? The sixth place at the last match in Anterselva proves your form is improving.
I was expecting better results even sooner, but my health didn't permit it. The important thing is that in Anterselva everything turned into the right direction, and my racing form is at the right stage. There are some minor details to be improved in shooting, and that's what we were doing at Pokljuka the last few days. I am going to Sochi very well prepared.
Sochi is not one of the standard organizers of the World Cup races. You had a pre-Olympic trial there; how well are you acquainted with the tracks?
I was in Sochi last year, and we had three races. I know the tracks well; they are among the most difficult trails I have ever run. Physical fitness will be extremely important. If my racing form is similar as last year, the Sochi trails will most certainly suit me. Last year I was very quick.
Four years ago you came quite close to winning a medal in the mass start race in Vancouver. You missed one target during the last shooting, and finished on the 5th place. Do you still remember that race?
I remember that race very well, but I don't dwell on the missed opportunities too much. If I hit all the targets in every race, I would most likely always finish on the winner's podium. I have a lot of experiences from important races, and that could be my advantage in Sochi. I don't intend to repeat the mistakes from Vancouver.
Not many Slovenian athletes placed so frequently between the fourth and the tenth place. You belong to the biathlon elite, but there seems to be a jinx on the winner's podium as far as you are concerned. You managed to reach it twice, while the number of your placements within the best ten is really large.
It is true that hardly any Slovenian athlete places so many times among the ten best at the World Cup matches. Quite often I ran out of luck, and sometimes a little bit of skill is missing. In the opposite case the fourth, fifth or sixth place could very easily turn into first, second, or third. I am still trying very hard. I did everything in my power to reach higher, among the first three. We'll see if my wish will ever come true. I hope to stand at the winner's podium at least once more before my career ends.
In Pyeongchang five years ago everything came together as planned in the Individual race on 15 km. Only the exceptional German athlete Kati Wilhelm finished ahead of you.
Then everything really came together. One more hit at the shooting and it would have been gold. I don't know what have I done differently at that time. Probably nothing much.
This season it is very difficult to predict the winners – the best are very close together. After Magdalena Neuner retired after being predominant for several seasons everything is possible. You are also mentioned as one of the likely candidates for medals.
Gabriela Soukalova, Darja Domračeva, Tora Berger and Andrea Henkel are on the short list of candidates for medals, and other competitors are close behind. For a success at the Olympic race a lot of luck is needed, besides other things.
Do you miss competition in Slovenia? For several seasons you have been a class above the rest. You are the only from the female team to go to the Olympic Games. Mali has won points in the World Cup, but hasn't reached the prescribed Olympic norm.
I regret the lack of stronger domestic competition. In Germany, Russia and Norway the competitors have to struggle to enter the National team, here in Slovenia it goes without saying who will participate at the World Cup races. There should be a healthy rivalry during training as well. It is very unfavourable, but it is still possible to achieve top results.
Do you miss relay races? With the teenage Urška Poje Slovenia finally had a female relay at the start of a World Cup race. Unfortunately the Slovenian mixed relay, with a silver medal two years ago in Ruhpolding, won't race in Sochi.
We would have had the opportunity for another top result at the Olympic Games with the mixed relay, but unfortunately we haven't fulfilled the quota prescribed for females by the International Biathlon Union. It is a big loss. It would be really nice to compete in the World Cup with a female relay, but the young athletes will have to work hard to reach the level suitable for the World Cup races.
What are your plans for the future, after the end of your career? You studied at the Faculty of Organisational Sciences in Kranj.
During my career my study is at the standstill, and afterwards I have to finish my study, and then I would like to remain connected to biathlon. I have been a part of this sport all my life, and it is understandable that I would like to remain connected also after I stop competing. I see myself in sport in future as well.