Andrea Eskau excited about competing at home Worlds

“I am really looking forward to the World Championships in Finsterau. Since they take place in Germany, it is possible for my friends to watch.”

Fresh from five victories at a World Cup in Western Center, Ukraine, Germany’s Andrea Eskau is heading to her home World Para Nordic Skiing Championships in Finsterau in incredible form.

The 45-year-old, who won two golds at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, is pleased to have the chance to compete in front of her home crowd at the Worlds from 10-19 February.

“If I win a medal, I can celebrate this with my family. This is a nice thought!” she said.

“I am really looking forward to the World Championships in Finsterau. Since they take place in Germany, it is possible for my friends to watch.”

Following her fantastic start to the season in Ukraine, Eskau will be a strong favourite in all women´s cross-country and biathlon sitting events.

However, she will face tough opposition from her teammate and Paralympic champion Anja Wicker, Belarus´ cross-country skiing World Cup overall rankings leader Lidziya Hrafeyeva and USA´s Sochi 2014 silver medallist Oksana Masters.

“I am very satisfied with my results so far this season. The results at the World Cup in Ukraine were even better than expected,” said Eskau.

Two years ago in Cable, USA, the German swept all cross-country events, winning three world titles. She also added a bronze in biathlon to her haul. In Finsterau, she is hoping to repeat or outdo such a performance.

“I have the best chances to win medals in the cross country events. In biathlon I have to improve my shooting performance in order to fight for a medal,” she said.

Eskau knows it will be a hard competition, but still believes her hard work will pay off and home advantage can take her to the top of the podium again.

“I hope to be able to compete in Finsterau in very good shape. The training will focus very much on the shooting, because I still see a lot of potential,” she said.

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The Finsterau 2017 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships will gather 135 of the world’s best biathletes and cross-country skiers from 25 countries between 10-19 February.

All races will be shown live alongside live results at Finsterau2017.com.