The German biathlon men come into a new season better than they have in a long time. The second row in particular is convincing. Things are going well for the women too. The early form is correct.
The German biathlon men have made a promising start with the best start to the season in seven years and have already raised hopes for the World Championships at home next year in Oberhof.
Roman Rees, fifth in the final pursuit at the World Cup in Kontiolahti, narrowly missed the fourth podium – he last managed to do that 21 years ago at the start. But after the resignation of Erik Lesser as the penultimate of the golden generation, the protégés of national coach Mark Kirchner in Finland presented themselves in a team spirit that was not necessarily expected.
“The conclusion is very positive. Both teams are extremely massed at the top of the world class. We are extremely happy that we were able to get such good results so early on,” said the new sports director Felix Bitterling. Because the women with the not so experienced Anna Weidel and Sophia Schneider also knew how to convince, even if it was “only” enough for eighth place by Vanessa Voigt. But in total there were four podium finishes for the German team – three for the men and one for the women.
Thingne’s squall dominant
“I’m very, very happy with how it’s gone here. It’s been the best week I’ve ever had. The race has shown that even if I don’t feel that fit, I’m still competitive – like them entire team,” said Rees, who is third in the overall standings, on ARD and added: “If things go badly, things can quickly get better.” Norway’s exceptional talent Johannes Thingnes Bö celebrated two successes in sprint and pursuit.
Rees (29) was third in the sprint, fourth in the individual and second in the relay. David Zobel (26) got his first World Cup podium as individual third and a strong eighth and ninth place. And 25-year-old Justus Strelow was 13th in the pursuit, plus two 17th places.
“Outstanding. I couldn’t even dream of it. It’s been going like a wave since qualifying and I’m trying to take that with me as far as possible,” said Zobel, who, like Rees and Benedikt Doll, has already achieved the World Cup standard. He and Strelow secured their right to start in the World Cup in the internal qualification, as did Weidel (26) and Schneider (25). And they already have the World Championship standard in their pockets, as do Olympic champions Denise Herrmann-Wick and Voigt.
Ex-colleague happy
“The German team is extremely strong. It’s okay in terms of skating, the material is right, the setting on the shooting range is right, of course with a few drawbacks here and there. But the team is in excellent shape and that’s a start that you can start with have to do it again,” said ex-colleague and ARD expert Lesser appreciatively.
The women around veteran Herrmann-Wick, at 32 the oldest in the team, were present at almost every flower ceremony of the top six, and in the relay they came in excellent second. There were also several top finishes such as fourth place for Voigt in the individual, fifth place for Weidel in the sprint, two sixth places for Herrmann-Wick and the surprisingly good Schneider in eighth and eleventh place. “I can now drive to Hochfilzen with momentum, I’ve shown in running that I don’t have to hide,” said Voigt after the pursuer with a view to the second World Cup next Thursday in Austria.
Only Franziska Preuss, who was always plagued by health problems, had to miss the races in Finland and is now hoping to start in Hochfilzen.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
