Austria’s biathlon offspring is ready for the youth and junior world championships in Kazakhstan. Salzburg provides the bulk of the squad. After two gold and one silver at the European Championships, a lot is also possible in Shchuchinsk.
Austria’s greatest biathlon talents set off from Salzburg on Wednesday. Via Frankfurt we went to Shchuchinsk. A good 4,000 kilometers as the crow flies from home, the best young cross-country skiers in the country are fighting for gold, silver and bronze at the youth and junior world championships in Kazakhstan. 18 athletes were nominated by the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV), the majority of them are provided by Salzburg with eleven. Seven out of ten are in the junior class. “It’s insane that so many made it,” said Walter Hörl, who works as a trainer for the state association (SLSV). The 59-year-old believes that the local aces in distant Kazakhstan have a lot of potential. “If they shoot well, there’s definitely a chance of a medal. If they can do that, they can definitely get a medal or two.” The former head coach of the ÖSV women, however, points out that the field is even better than it was at the Junior European Championships or in the IBU Junior Cup. The Norwegians and Swedes did not take part there. Rothschopf cleared away at the European Championship Lea Rothschopf is one of the greatest domestic hopes. The Kuchlerin recently crowned herself European champion in singles in Madona, Latvia, won silver in the single mixed relay and is also in good spirits for the global title fights. “After a title like that, you definitely have higher goals. I’m relaxed and I hope that I can conjure something up again,” the 21-year-old grins. In Shchuchinsk, she forms a golden double with Lara Wagner. The Tyrolean triumphed at the European Championships in the sprint. “It would be nice if something worked again,” says Rothschopf. With Anna Andexer, the red-white-red squad has another ace up its sleeve. The 20-year-old from SK Saalfelden is the overall leader in the Junior Cup and has achieved a number of top results this winter. At the European Championships, however, she was struggling a bit recently. During training before take-off, the focus was on shooting. “I really concentrated and placed great value on my position,” reports the Pinzgauer. She has no concrete expectations, especially since the routes were completely new territory for her. “I looked at them on Google Maps beforehand,” she reveals. Anhaus: “I never would have thought of it.” The third Salzburger in the junior team is Wilma Anhaus. At the European Championships, she showed up as an individual fourth. In this competition she also wants to show off in the Far East. “I was overjoyed with this placement because I would never have thought of it. At the World Championships, if I shoot well, I’m definitely in the top 20.” In the juniors, the SLSV even has four out of five starters. With Oliver Lienbacher, Lukas Haslinger and Fabian Müllauer there are three from HSV Saalfelden, plus Maria Almer Christian Langegger. “The World Championships will be a great experience,” said the latter, looking forward to the first competitions. Recently, Langegger made people sit up and take notice, especially with great running times. With this he wants to convince again. “Skiing has always been my strength, I’ve worked hard on it.” Müllauer is also one of the fastest on skis. Last year, when he was still in the youth class, he achieved two top results in Soldier Hollow (US). He would like to top that, but recently he struggled at the shooting range. “We trained at home for a few more days and brought in security, especially standing.” His goals for the World Cup? “The award ceremony would be a huge success!” Club colleague Haslinger agrees. “I would be happy if I was at the Flower Ceremony,” explains the single mixed silver medalist from Madona, who will be celebrating his 20th birthday next week. Lienbacher caused a stir in the Junior Cup in Haanja, Estonia, right before the European Championships and stormed there sensationally on the podium. “I was surprised by that,” he admits. In Shchuchinsk, the goals are lower. “The top 20 may end up.”Marchl is the leader in the boysAs far as the youth are concerned, ÖSV youth coordinator Markus Michelak sees Thomas Marchl (SC Kuchl) from Salzburg in the leader role in the boys. “He’s the strongest with us, you could see that at the EYOF (European Youth Olympic Festival, note).” There he just barely missed precious metal in fourth place. From a Salzburg point of view, Joshua Durie, another athlete from Saalfelden, is also there. In the girls’ camp, Selina Heigl (USC Altenmarkt) and Anna Millinger (SC St. Martin/Lofer) are a duo from SLSV at the start. Probably the greatest hope comes from Upper Austria. Rosaly Stollberger regularly shows in her age group and, according to Michelak, has “really good qualifications. She has everything you need.” The mixed relays are waiting for the start of the title fights on Saturday. In the juniors, Lea Rotschopf, Lara Wagner, Maximilian Prosser and Lukas Haslinger are at the start, in the youth division Rosaly Stollberger, Lena Pinter, Daniel Glasser and Thomas Marchl are fighting for a top position. Austria’s team in Shchuchinsk youth female: Selina Heigl, Anna Millinger (both S ), Lena Pinter (T), Rosaly Stollberger (Upper Austria); Youth male: Thomas Marchl, Joshua Durie (both S), Daniel Glasser, Julian Schober (both Upper Austria); Juniors female: Anna Andexer, Lea Rothschopf, Wilma Anhaus (all S), Victoria Mellitzer, Lara Wagner (both T); Juniors male: Lukas Haslinger, Fabian Müllauer, Oliver Lienbacher, Christian Langegger (all S), Maximilian Prosser (T).
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