Mixed record from Ruhpolding
“Hell” encourages DSV stars for the home World Cup
01/15/2023, 5:15 p.m
At the end of the Biathlon World Cup in Ruhpolding, Vanessa Voigt and Justus Strelow finished in the top ten in the mass start. The atmosphere along the route is impressive – and probably just a foretaste of the World Championships in Oberhof in February. But the shape curve still has to increase until then.
19,000 euphoric fans had to do without the main attraction at the atmospheric biathlon party in the Chiemgau Arena. Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick skipped the mass start in her “living room” after an acclaimed second place in the relay. Slightly injured, Herrmann-Wick didn’t want to risk anything with a view to the home World Championships in Oberhof (February 8th to 19th) – especially since it rained heavily in Ruhpolding at the end. “Health”, emphasized Herrmann-Wick 24 days before the season highlight, “is now the be-all and end-all”. The local hero accepted the disappointment of the supporters herself.
After all, Vanessa Voigt caused cheers in the race over 12.5 kilometers as a strong fifth. “The spectators really inspired me. I gave everything,” said Voigt, who narrowly missed her second podium finish of her career when Julia Simon won.
But the team of the German Ski Association (DSV) has long been “focused entirely on the World Cup”, as DSV sports director Felix Bitterling emphasized after the home World Cup in Ruhpolding: “A very important phase has begun for us.” The World Cup dress rehearsal in Antholz from Thursday to Sunday is only an intermediate step.
Norwegians succeed quadruple success in the mass start
Apart from the second places in the German squadrons behind the outstanding Norwegians, Ruhpolding’s record was mixed, especially for the men. In the mass start, they only played a supporting role at the Norwegian festival with dominator Johannes Thingnes Bö, just like in the individual event. Although Justus Strelow achieved his best career result in eighth place, otherwise the high expectations were not met.
“I was a bit lacking in ease,” said top performer Benedikt Doll, disappointed after a weak 15th place. Even if Strelow was satisfied “to be able to swim with him” – he didn’t come close to gusts and his Norwegians either. “JBT” celebrated his ninth (!) victory in front of three teammates in the twelfth individual race of the winter.
The five days of Ruhpolding offered the DSV team a foretaste of the World Cup. Especially at the shooting range there is “crass pressure”, said Johannes Kühn: “If things go well, it’s nice. If not, it’s hell.” ARD expert Arnd Peiffer spoke of a “super test in front of this audience, because the atmosphere in Oberhof will be even more euphoric”. According to David Zobel, “even greater pressure will weigh on us”.
No medal requirement for the World Championships, but …
At least the two seasons kept their nerves and thrilled the masses. This was “extremely important for the team,” said Bitterling, “to get a feeling: We’re in Germany and you have to beat us first.”
This motto applies especially at the high point of the season. He doesn’t believe in “a strict medal requirement”, says Bitterling: “But we want to be at the top of every competition and attack in the relays.”
His hope: “At some point these over-athletes like a Johannes Thingnes squall will also have a bad day. We have to be there.” Just like with the squadrons. You’ve seen “that we’re to be reckoned with. We can keep up on the cross-country ski run,” said Voigt combatively: “There’s definitely a lot in it.”