Triple Olympic Champion and twice World Champion Darya Domracheva finally receives trophy lacking in her collection

Darya Domracheva earns her first Big Crystal Globe

Triple Olympic Champion and twice World Champion finally receives trophy lacking in her collection
Triple Olympic Champion and twice World Champion finally receives trophy lacking in her collection

Russia’s Khanty-Mansiysk recently hosted the women’s biathlon season final, with the major prize of the Big Crystal Globe due to fall to either Darya or her Finnish rival, Kaisa Makarainen, through the sum of the year’s results. Darya Domracheva was placed third overall in 2014, and before this she was ranked second twice, so the prize is one she has long coveted.

Darya Domracheva — winner of the Big Crystal Globe
Darya Domracheva — winner of the Big Crystal Globe

From the start, the triple Olympic Champion took the lead, which she held confidently for two shooting ranges, hitting every target from the prone position. Having defied the wind and her excitement, she reached the standing position stage as a leader. However, there, Darya was thrown into third place and made a further error in her final ‘standing’ lap. Fortunately, Ms. Makarainen also failed to shoot accurately, making five mistakes and finishing 13th.

On receiving the Big Crystal Globe, at Khanty-Mansiysk’s Winter Sport Centre (named after Alexander Filipenko), she declared joyfully, “I’ve done it! I’m happy to win the Big Crystal Globe! I concentrated psychologically and won. I loved today’s race, despite only coming fourth,” noted Darya after the final race of the season. “The struggle was tough. I’m grateful to all those who supported and believed in me and I’m happy to have met their hopes. I have no words to explain how I feel! Most of all, I want to rest now, relaxing after the hectic season. Modern biathlon is rich and unpredictable, with so much passion. The struggle for points and prizes is intense. Biathlon is a super-sport!”

President Alexander Lukashenko sent a greetings telegram to Ms. Domracheva on the occasion of her 2014/15 IBU World Cup win. It reads: ‘Dear Darya, accept my congratulations! You are great, having yet again presented us with cause for celebration and confirming your title as the world’s greatest biathlete. All Belarus has followed your performances, hearts aflutter. You’ve not disappointed us. In your determination towards this goal, you’ve demonstrated supreme mastery and true fighting spirit. Thank you for these unforgettable moments of happiness and pride! We await you in your Motherland.’

By Yegor Glebov
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