Zina Kocher (photo: pierre shanks)

Behind those eyes, a thought for Rich Boruta.

Zina Kocher, one of Canada’s top biathletes for years, came out of retirement in tribute to Rich Boruta, her long time biathlon coach who died tragically in a climbing accident at the age of 49. He was urging her to try to qualify for the 2018 Olympics in xc-skiing.

Zina finished 7th in the skiathlon Monday, virtually ending her chances to do so. Inside  her head, somewhere, his characteristic Czech voice was resounding…

Unforgettable.

Both of them.