Births on February 11

Ľubomíra Kalinová, Slovak biathlete

Ľubomíra Kalinová is a prominent Slovak biathlete, born on February 11, 1982, in Banská Bystrica. Banská Bystrica, a picturesque city nestled in central Slovakia, is recognized for its rich historical heritage and serves as a significant cultural and economic hub. It is also a region that has fostered numerous talented athletes, particularly in challenging winter sports disciplines like biathlon. Kalinová established herself as a dedicated and resilient competitor on the international biathlon circuit, a demanding winter sport that uniquely combines the physical endurance of cross-country skiing with the precision and focus required for rifle shooting.

Olympic Participation: Vancouver 2010 Winter Games

Kalinová proudly represented Slovakia at the highly prestigious 2010 Winter Olympics, which took place in Vancouver, Canada. Her qualification for and participation in the Olympic Games marked a significant pinnacle in her athletic career, demonstrating her commitment and ability to compete at the elite level. During her Olympic debut, she competed in two distinct individual biathlon events:

• Her best performance at the Vancouver Games saw her secure 80th place in the individual race. The biathlon individual race is traditionally the longest and most challenging event, requiring athletes to complete five laps on a cross-country ski course, interspersed with four shooting stages (alternating between prone and standing positions). A crucial aspect of this discipline is that for every missed target, a one-minute penalty is added directly to the athlete's total time, placing immense emphasis on both sustained endurance and impeccable shooting accuracy under pressure.
• She also achieved 81st place in the sprint event. The biathlon sprint is a faster-paced competition conducted over a shorter distance compared to the individual race, typically involving two shooting stages (one prone and one standing). In the sprint format, missed targets result in a penalty loop, usually 150 meters in length, for each miss. This necessitates rapid and precise shooting to minimize time lost on the penalty loop, making it a thrilling race against the clock.

Biathlon World Championships Endeavors

As of February 2013, Ľubomíra Kalinová's career highlights included notable performances at the Biathlon World Championships. These championships are one of the most important annual events in the sport, drawing the world's finest biathletes to compete for coveted world titles. Her results showcased her capabilities in both team-based and individual formats:

• Her strongest showing came as a vital member of the Slovak women's relay team in 2009, where they collectively achieved a respectable 13th place. In a biathlon relay, teams typically consist of four athletes, with each member skiing a segment of the course and completing two shooting stages (one prone and one standing). Success in the relay format hinges on both individual speed and shooting prowess, as well as seamless team coordination, with missed targets requiring extra shots or penalty loops that impact the entire team's cumulative time.
• Individually, her most commendable performance at the World Championships was a 73rd place finish in the 2009 individual race. This outcome reflects her consistent effort and ability to compete against a highly competitive global field in one of biathlon's most demanding disciplines.

Biathlon World Cup Achievements

Throughout her career, Kalinová was a regular competitor in the Biathlon World Cup series, an annual circuit of races held across various international venues from November to March. As of February 2013, her World Cup records highlighted both individual prowess and the effectiveness of team synergy:

• Her most impressive team result was contributing to the women's relay team that secured an excellent 6th place at the Oberhof World Cup during the 2011/12 season. Oberhof, Germany, is widely recognized as a challenging and atmospheric World Cup venue due to its demanding course profiles and often unpredictable weather conditions, making this a particularly significant achievement for the Slovak team.
• Individually, her finest performance on the World Cup stage came in the sprint race at Vancouver in the 2008/09 season, where she finished 31st. Achieving a top-35 position in a highly competitive World Cup sprint race is a strong indicator of an athlete's potential and ability to perform under pressure, given the immense depth of talent in professional biathlon.
• Her best overall ranking in the demanding Biathlon World Cup standings was 86th during the 2008/09 season. This comprehensive overall ranking is determined by points accumulated across all eligible races throughout the entire World Cup calendar, reflecting an athlete's consistency over a full season.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ľubomíra Kalinová

Who is Ľubomíra Kalinová?

Ľubomíra Kalinová is a Slovak biathlete renowned for her participation at the international level, including the Winter Olympics, Biathlon World Championships, and the Biathlon World Cup series.

When and where was Ľubomíra Kalinová born?

She was born on February 11, 1982, in Banská Bystrica, a city located in central Slovakia.

Did Ľubomíra Kalinová compete in the Olympics?

Yes, she proudly represented Slovakia at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, where she competed in both the individual and sprint biathlon events.

What was her best performance at the Biathlon World Championships?

As of February 2013, her most notable performance at the Biathlon World Championships was securing 13th place as a member of the Slovak women's relay team in 2009. Her best individual result at the championships was 73rd in the 2009 individual race.

What were Ľubomíra Kalinová's top results in the Biathlon World Cup?

As of February 2013, she achieved a strong 6th place in a women's relay event at Oberhof during the 2011/12 season. Her best individual finish in a Biathlon World Cup race was 31st in a sprint at Vancouver in the 2008/09 season. Her best overall World Cup ranking for a season was 86th, also in 2008/09.