ERR Sports Chief Predicts Medal-less Olympics
The head of ERR's sports department, Marko Kaljuveer, has said that Estonia is highly unlikely to win a medal at this year's Winter Games, but that he would be happy to see a top-ten finish.
Estonia has sent 25 athletes to the games. For each sport, Kaljuveer weighs up what he believes would be a good result:
Biathlon (nine athletes)
Men: Indrek Tobreluts, Kauri Kõiv, Roland Lessing, Daniil Steptšenko, Kalev Ermits
Women: Kadri Lehtla, Darja Jurlova, Grete Gaim, Johanna Talihärm
Kõiv's 6th place at a World Cup stage at the beginning of January and Lehtla's 15th place from a stage in November are positive recent developments.
Verdict: One athlete in the top 20.
Cross-Country Skiing (7)
Men: Algo Kärp, Peeter Kümmel, Aivar Rehemaa, Karel Tammjärv, Raido Ränkel, Siim Sellis
Women: Triin Ojaste
Rehemaa came 7th at the last World Championships, while Kümmel has made it to three sprint event quarter-finals in this season's World Cup stages.
Verdict: One skier in the top 10.
Nordic Combined (3)
Men: Kristjan Ilves, Han Hendrik Piho, Karl-August Tiirmaa
The team was cut by one member at the last moment. No recent major achievements.
Verdict: One athlete in the top 30.
Ski Jumping (2)
Men: Kaarel Nurmsalu, Siim-Tanel Sammelselg
Nurmsalu, who won three bronze medals at the 2011 Junior World Ski Championships has been plagued with injuries, while Sammelselg was named in the team only very recently.
Verdict: both should make the second stage of the main competition, meaning a top 30 finish.
Alpine Skiing (2)
Men: Warren Cummings Smith
Women: Triin Tobi
The biggest question mark for Estonia at Sochi is Smith, whom no Estonian commentator has seen live.
Verdict: Either Smith or Tobi finishing in the top 40.
Figure Skating (2)
Men: Viktor Romanenkov
Women: Jelena Glebova
Glebova was 7th at the recent European Championships and 16th at the last World Championships.
Verdict: A top-15 finish for Glebova.