World Cup before Christmas: Grotian and Riethmüller: New biathlon faces are shining

After her debut victory, biathlete Selina Grotian fell into Franziska Preuß’s arms before she coolly gave her first winner’s interview. With their first double success in almost five years, the two ski hunters crowned the most successful weekend of the season, after Danilo Riethmüller had previously caused a huge surprise by coming second in the mass start with the first World Cup podium of his career in Le Grand-Bornand.

“I’m amazed right now, I don’t have the words for it. I can’t believe I won,” Grotian told ARD – calm and relaxed. With a total of six podium places and Preuß in the yellow jersey, the German team is heading into the longed-for Christmas break very satisfied.

In addition to the double success in the mass start, what was outstanding was of course the success in the pursuit of Preuß, who also came second in the sprint with a slight injury. In addition, third place in the sprint went to Vanessa Voigt, who skipped the last race of the year due to poor health.

“It’s cool that we’re both on the podium,” said Preuß (30), who can now deliver top performances even when she’s not at 100 percent. “But it was the scariest race I’ve ever done,” said the Bavarian after it rained non-stop.

Prussia in the form of her life

Preuß, who has often suffered in the past, is having the best start to the season of her career and has further extended her lead in the overall World Cup. She was on the podium six times and was never worse than fifth. Now she wants to recharge her batteries and recover at Christmas with her boyfriend Simon Schempp and her family in order to get back to full 100 percent performance: “Now I’m looking forward to the break.” She and Voigt will continue again on December 28th at Schalke in the team challenge together with Philipp Nawrath and Justus Strelow.

“The climate in the team is perfect, young and old complement each other perfectly,” said discipline coach Kristian Mehringer, summing up the current secret of success.

Grotian wants to continue working quietly on his career

In the French Alps, she showed that Grotian, like 19-year-old Julia Tannheimer, who had to miss two races in France due to illness, is the promise for the future. She was very unlucky in the pursuit on the day when she lost her right ski on a descent in the first few laps and ended up finishing 14th.

“I’m a very quiet guy, I work a lot with myself,” explained the multiple junior world champion, who is now looking forward to her family and her dog Nala. Previously, the season had not gone as hoped for the ambitious Grotian, and there were also worse results, which are to be expected at this age.

Riethmüller redeems German men’s team

Like Grotian, late starter Danilo Riethmüller also experienced his podium debut. “I’m now looking forward to my wife and my dachshund,” said Riethmüller, who himself didn’t know exactly how he kept Dominator Johannes Thingnes Bö from Norway behind him during his coup and only had to let his brother Tarjei go first.

“I’m still at a loss for words, I’m incredibly happy,” said the 25-year-old, who had already sent a signal of respect in the pursuer the day before by jumping from 29th to seventh place. After fulfilling his life’s dream, he sent a thank you to national coach Uros Velepec and his home coach Alexander Wolf.

Men step out of the shadows

“That they gave me the trust, accompanied me through the valley of mistakes and continued to give me the chance,” said Riethmüller, who missed the relay podium in Hochfilzen with a penalty loop.

Before Riethmüller’s coup, men were in the shadow of women. In the first season after the retirement of Benedikt Doll, the last representative of the Golden Generation around Arnd Peiffer, Erik Lesser and Schempp, the performances are solid, but things are not going consistently well, especially at the shooting range. Riethmüller’s success could be an initial spark.