World Cup winter begins: What is important at the start of the biathlon season

After a 258-day break, the biathletes start the new season. The mixed competitions start in Kontiolahti, Finland, on Saturday (1:15 p.m./ZDF), followed by two relay races on Sunday. The German Press Agency answers the most important questions before the start of the World Cup winter.

Why was there trouble in the biathlon camp recently?

The mood between the stars of the scene and the world association is tense. The reason? The IBU is testing a new starting rule in which the best can no longer freely choose their starting group and instead – for reasons of excitement – are only allowed onto the track later in the sprint and individual. This caused massive criticism.

The athletes’ committee was against it, as were the trainers’ representatives. This is a clear disadvantage for the best, especially in bad weather conditions. The world association is testing the system in the first four weeks of the World Cup, and an evaluation will take place at the end of December. If the course conditions are extreme and do not guarantee fair conditions, the competition jury will decide that the top 15 in the overall World Cup rankings should be allowed to start at the beginning.

What are the German chances?

In the previous season, the men of the German Ski Association took four victories and five second and third places each in the World Cup. At the World Championships it was only enough for Benedikt Doll to achieve individual bronze, who ended his career in the spring. The women remained without an individual win this season; in the World Cup there were five second and four third places. At the World Cup, Janina Hettich-Walz and the relay team took silver. But the start of the season a year ago in Sweden was the best ever for the entire team. It will probably be difficult to consistently fight for podium places this season too. But top results are always possible.

What does the German men’s team look like?

National coach Uros Velepec’s team is looking for a new leader following the resignation of veteran Benedikt Doll. The 34-year-old former world champion leaves a big gap. But in Philipp Nawrath and Roman Rees, two Germans briefly donned the yellow jersey again in the previous season after years of abstinence.

It remains to be seen whether she or her teammates Johannes Kühn, Justus Strelow and Philipp Horn can repeat the strong start from the previous winter. In Östersund, the German ski hunters very surprisingly had the best start to the season at the end of 2023 with victories from Rees and Nawrath as well as three other podium places. Rees is still missing at the start of the season after an illness.

What has changed in the women’s team?

Janina Hettich-Walz, the World Cup runner-up from Nove Mesto, is missing in the individual and relay. The 28-year-old is expecting her first child but wants to return after the pregnancy. In addition to the experienced Vanessa Voigt and Franziska Preuß, the eyes are primarily on the big young hopes Selina Grotian (20), Julia Tannheimer (19), Johanna Puff (22) and Julia Kink (20).

But above all Preuß, who has repeatedly been set back by illnesses and was unable to fulfill her potential at the last World Cup in the Czech Republic, would like to attack again. Voigt is steadily becoming more stable and is an important part of coach Kristian Mehringer’s team.

Have the material problems from the previous season been resolved?

The Germans had top material at low temperatures. But in warmer conditions, as was the case at the last World Cup, they sometimes had clear disadvantages due to the damp and wet track conditions. This caused frustration within the team, especially at the World Cup. Sports director Felix Bitterling then announced a comprehensive analysis. “We have done a lot in the summer and also changed our technical team. I assume that we can confirm the positive tests,” said Bitterling from the German Ski Association: “The topic is very complex, but we have “We’ve taken a big step forward.”

How is the season going?

As always, there are nine World Cups on the program. It starts in Kontiolahti, Finland, and will continue there next week. The season ends in March in Oslo. The World Championships from February 12th to 23rd, 2025 will take place for the first time in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. As usual, the highlights in Germany are the races in Oberhof and Ruhpolding in the second and third weeks of January.

Who are the favorites?

For the men, the dominant Norwegians around overall World Cup winner Johannes Thingnes Bö will once again be the measure of all things. Only the Frenchman Emilien Jacquelin in sixth place made it into the top seven of the overall ranking in 2023/2024 as a non-Norwegian. His team and the Swedes around Sebastian Samuelsson are the first challengers.

In the women’s category, the overall World Cup winner Lisa Vittozzi from Italy, who is currently still struggling, as well as the strong French women around Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Julia Simon and Sweden with the Öberg sisters Hanna and Elvira will probably dominate the action again.

Where can the races be seen?

ARD, ZDF and Eurosport broadcast all competitions live on TV and in a free stream. As always, ARD and ZDF take turns at the World Cups. The ARD experts are once again the former world champions Arnd Peiffer and Erik Lesser. Laura Dahlmeier and Denise Herrmann-Wick work at ZDF. It is a first for Herrmann-Wick; she replaces Olympic champion Sven Fischer, who will become a co-commentator in the future.