MINSK, Feb 18 (BelTA/APP): Four Belarusian athletes will begin their campaigns at the 25th Winter Olympic Games in Italy on Wednesday, BelTA has learned.
At 12:00 Minsk time, the women’s ski aerials qualification is set to begin in Livigno. The qualifying event was originally scheduled for 17 February but was postponed by one day due to heavy snowfall. The start list includes 25 athletes, among them Belarusians Hanna Huskova, Anastasiya Andryianava, and Anna Derugo. Following the first qualification round, the top six will advance, with six more spots to be contested in the second round. The final is scheduled to start at 15:00.
Also at noon, the women’s slalom competition will get underway in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Ninety-five skiers are set to take to the course, including our Maria Shkanova, who will start with bib number 44. To qualify for the second run, she needs to finish in the top 30. For the Belarusian alpine skier, this Olympics will be fifth in her career. Four years ago, Maria finished 20th. Shkanova’s best result in the current World Cup season is 44th place.