World Cup in Oberhof: Grotian and Strelow in third place in biathlon home game

Selina Grotian and Justus Strelow gave the German biathlon team their first podium finish of the new year at the home World Cup in Oberhof. The duo came third in the single mixed relay. Grotian and Strelow used a total of eleven spare rounds in Thuringia, but avoided a penalty lap. Finland surprisingly secured victory ahead of France, with Germany 24.9 seconds behind the leaders.

“It was a lot of fun today. It finally worked properly again, it was just a great day,” said Strelow on ZDF. The 28-year-old only needed one extra cartridge, while Grotian even had to use all three additional shots three out of four times. “I just wanted to avoid the penalty loop,” said the Bavarian and concluded: “I’m very satisfied. I could only have dreamed of a podium today.”

The Saxon Strelow initially gave the German team an early lead after two error-free shooting sessions in front of around 20,000 enthusiastic spectators. Grotian then had to give up the lead again very quickly and lost some ground after a total of four reloads. In his second outing, Strelow again took first place. However, Grotian, who is only 20 years old, showed nerves when shooting and was unable to maintain her position.

Specialist Voigt is missing from the home race

Strelow and top shooter Vanessa Voigt had already finished third in the single mixed at the start of the season in Finland. Almost exactly a year ago, the duo even won a World Cup together in Antholz. The Thuringian Voigt was unable to compete in the shooting-heavy competition at her home game in Oberhof due to the effects of a cold. It is still unclear whether she will be back at the World Cup in Ruhpolding next week.