The just-completed BMW IBU World Championships were nothing but successful or Finland’s Suvi Minkkinen who finished with top 10 results in every individual competition including her first-ever IBU WCH medal in the sprint and two additional Flower Ceremonies.

Minkkinen’s road to the career highlight Sprint Bronze medal is a tale of perseverance, starting with 10 penalties in her first IBU Junior WCH individual in 2013 to her first top 30 in the 2020 Ruhpolding Pursuit to the first World Cup podium this season at home in the Kontiolahti Sprint. Along the way, Minkkinen has become highly skilled on the shooting range, closing 91% of her targets this season.

After finishing 8th in Sunday’s Lenzerheide Mass Start, Minkkinen answered our Five Burning Questions and one about what she misses about home when travelling all season.

Biathlonworld: Top ten in every individual competition at the IBU World Championships and a medal, did that exceed your expectations?

Suvi Minkkinen: Yes!! My goal was to finish some race in top 6. Of course, I was dreaming to get a medal but to actually do it, I don't know if I truly believed in it😅. I'm so happy that I was able to compete at such a high level throughout these whole Championships.

BW: If I asked you back in 2019 in Oestersund after you finished 73rd in the Sprint, almost 3 minutes back if you thought someday, you would win a WCH Sprint medal, what would have been your answer?

SM: .I don't think back then I believed that it would be possible for me to get a medal in a Sprint. Probably I have been thinking maybe medal in a Pursuit after a good Sprint or a medal in an Individual would be possible someday..🤔. Obviously, I have been believing in something since I continued to work so many years after that! 😅🙈

BW: You have always been a strong on the shooting range, but stepped up a notch this year, is there a secret to that or just hard work?

SM: I think it's just a lot of hard work at the shooting range and on the mental side. I also didn't change anything with my rifle for this year, so it was easy to just train the skills.

BW: You spent a lot of time training at altitude last summer; it has paid off all season. How tough is that for someone from the lowlands of Finland?

SM: Adapting to high altitude quickly is really difficult for me as you can see the results from Anterselva WC this year 😅. Competing in altitude is okay when I have enough time to be there before races. This normal WC schedule where I have to race on day 4 after arriving, is really tough. It's also one of the reasons why I spent 3 months in high altitude during the summer; my body reacts well when I train in altitude. Also, I'm trying to make competing in altitude little bit easier for myself 😅 and of course, we don't have that kind of uphills in Finland!

BW: Presuming you’ve knocked off some of your goals this season, does the next one have something to do with Antholz in about a year?

SM: .Olympics are of course big goal for me. Now I have really had a dream season and hope to be even stronger next season! I found what is working for me so I think it will be a good plan to spend some more time in high altitude before the Olympic season 😁.

Biathlonworld Bonus: What are the three things that you miss the most when you are away from home?

Suvi Minkkinen: People closest to me, my own kitchen and good coffee.

After a couple of podiums and a WCH medal in her pocket, the next step just might be something shiny and gold around Suvi’s neck.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus