Suvi Minkkinen, a Finnish athlete, is currently in a challenging position as she prepares for the 7.5 kilometers sprint event at the Antholz biathlon World Cup. The unique circumstances of the competition, particularly its high altitude of over 1,600 meters above sea level, are known to be detrimental for her performance. Last season, she finished remarkably behind the fastest women's skier, showing a significant gap in her skiing times which raises concerns about her current form.

In a recent 15-kilometer Olympic start race held earlier this week, Minkkinen's time was notably slower, trailing by over two minutes behind the quickest skier, which adds to the skepticism regarding her readiness for the upcoming event. The high altitude impacts many athletes adversely, and for Minkkinen, it seems to be a recurring issue that could lead to another disappointing result in her pursuit of an Olympic medal.

As the competition draws closer, analysts and fans alike wonder if Minkkinen can overcome these challenges or if her performance will continue to suffer due to the harsh conditions. The pressure is mounting for her to deliver a remarkable performance, but the history of setbacks at this venue complicates the expectations significantly.