Biathlon World Cup: With the last strength to the finish: Biathletes celebrate World Cup bronze

With bronze around the neck and a large Germany flag in their hands, the biathlon team celebrated the dream start to the World Cup. During the photo shoot in front of the wonderful mountain panorama in Lenzerheide, it could be felt how much pressure dropped after the end of the medal of Franziska Preuss and Co. immediately after the first of twelve World Cup decisions. “We have not been on the podium in the mixed relay for a long time, so we all appreciate all of this very much,” said 30-year-old Prussia after the brilliant start in Switzerland.

With the very last strength, Justus Strelow had dragged himself to the finish in a gripping race of the mixed quartet and just saved third place. It was the first medal in this competition in six years, after which a few tears of joy flowed in the team. “The final round really hurt. I don’t wish anyone that he has to experience it,” said the Sachse Strelow, who took a few minutes until it was again.

The desire for more medals grows

Together with Preuss, Selina Grotian and Philipp Nawrath, Strelow Czech Republic had to let go by in the end, but that hardly played a role. “We have already got the first medal, which is always good for the team. We are expecting medals – and we have delivered. Hopefully we can collect a few more,” said Strelow.

“The medal is worth a lot because so many teams are fighting for it,” said Preuss. And it was a tactic poker that ended. Because the actual start runner Strelow, who is not one of the best, has never been the last one. “I’ve never had such a soft knee when I was in. I was extremely excited,” said the 28-year-old.

In the end, when the defending champion France Norway, superstar Johannes Thingnes Bö fell by the superior victory, he defended by 2.7 seconds. After 4×6 kilometers, the DSV team had 1: 18.4 minutes behind the winners after eleven. Most recently, Vanessa Hinz, Denise Herrmann-Wick, Arnd Peiffer and Benedikt Doll, all of whom are no longer active, had recently brought in Östers and silver.

After Strelow’s last shooting, the Germans were already cheering in their arms. But then it became a real thriller. At first, Strelow, who laid the foundation stone for success with his fast shooting deposits of 18 and 19 seconds, had to let the Czech Republic draw. And then Norway and Sweden stormed up. “Madness how Justus did it,” said Nawrath, who had just avoided such a penalty. For Bavaria it was probably the best early gift for Bavaria a day before his 32nd birthday.

National coach presses their fingers crossed

A lucky charm could also have been national coach Julian Nagelsmann, who, like the football stars Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller, had wished for the team in a video message message. “My mother is biathlon-conferred, I also see it a lot. And I want her to be in a good mood. Gaunted gas,” said biathlon fan Nagelsmann.

And the material also fit with clear plus degrees and an increasingly deeper trail. At the past World Cup in Nove Mesto, the skis, which were not competitive in such conditions, had been the all overlapping topic. It had only been enough for fifth place in mixed.

French are a class of their own

In front of 7,500 spectators in the Roland Arena in the canton of Graubünden at a height of 1400 meters, Grotian needed a total of four after -loaders. “I’ve had headache all day. I am incredibly sorry for the team that I didn’t get through there,” said the 20-year-old, who was nevertheless the fastest starting runner and in the end celebrated her second World Cup medal.

She sent Preuss into the race with 19.6 seconds behind leaders France. While her long -term rival Lou JeanMonnot brought the favorite to victory course, Preuss had to reload twice. The gap to 55 seconds grew, but the DSV team was clearly on the medal course. “It was extremely hard today, it wasn’t quite the yellow of the egg,” said Preuss, who is one of the favorites in all individual races and wants to fight for gold in the sprint on Friday.

Nawrath wobbled at standing shooting. “Thank God I avoided the penalty round, that was the most important thing,” he said. So for Strelow in the fight for silver and bronze in a three -way battle at the shooting range with Italy and the Czech Republic. And the Saxon brought everything out of himself and was rewarded with his team.