"Ever since the spring I've been training, while other competitors have been competing, and naturally I wish to participate in an actual race," the 27-year-old told the STA, adding that she was eyeing Pokljuka and the Biathlon World Championships in Rasen-Antholz, Italy in February in particular.

Both venues hold a special place in her heart - the 2015 Pokljuka race was the first time Podchufarova had a podium-finish, while the following year in Rasen-Antholz she was victorious in the World Cup for the very first and so far only time in her career.

Her long-term goals include the Biathlon World Championships 2021 in Pokljuka and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

"The entire second part of this season will be vital. We'll see how far I can go. Shooting-wise, I'm already at quite a high level," she said, adding that she felt great in Slovenia and felt at home at Pokljuka - training at high altitudes agrees with her.

Hailing from Moscow, Podchufarova is enjoying her time away from big cities, praising the serenity and beauty of Slovenia's rural landscape.

She will return to the world of biathlon after a year and a half long break during which she reignited her enthusiasm for the sport and got motivated again.

The turning point was the World Cup event in Ruhpolding, Germany in January, where Podchufarova found herself on the bleachers thinking she belonged among competitors. What followed was her decision to start training in spring.

Podchufarova competed at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where she ranked 49th in the individual competition.