The leader of Ukraine's women's biathlon team, Julia Jim, will miss the first stage of the World Cup in Ostersund, Sweden. This was reported by Suspilne Sport.
The team for the initial stage includes Kristina Dytrenko, Valeria Dytrenko, Anastasia Merkusina, Oleksandra Merkusina, Olena Horodna, and Daryna Chalyk.
The head coach of the Ukrainian women's team, Mykola Zots, explained Jim's absence:
"In September, Jim fell and injured her finger. Recovery took longer than expected, so we decided she would join for the second stage in Hochfilzen. She didn't have enough time to get into good shape for the start.
When we were in Antholz in October, she stumbled again, and we worried it might be a fracture. However, the finger injury prevented her from shooting, and she only recently started training. She hadn't shot for a month, and there simply wasn't enough time to prepare for Ostersund," said the coach.