Podium follows the debacle
Biathlon relay shines despite weak knees
January 10, 2024, 5:29 p.m
The biathletes are turning Ruhpolding into a madhouse. At the start of the home World Cup, the German relay celebrated a surprising podium finish – despite being very nervous beforehand.
In the finish area, Hanna Kebinger drove into the outstretched arms of her teammates who were already waiting happily, then the German quartet, together with the completely euphoric fans, let La-Ola spill over the stands: The German women’s relay team opened the biathlon party in Ruhpolding with a bang . Janina Hettich-Walz, Sophia Schneider, Franziska Preuß and Kebinger finished third in the Bavarian winter wonderland with only three spares – and made amends for last Sunday’s disappointing result in Oberhof.
“We were in a pressure situation to make it a podium at the home World Cup,” said a grinning Preuß on the ZDF microphone after the relay thriller. Kebinger also admitted that she was “doubly or triple tense” before her assignment as final runner; the night before she had had “wild dreams about the relay.” But the fear was unfounded.
While there was almost nothing going on on the cross-country ski trail and at the shooting range in Oberhof, the German team now shone in front of the 13,000 people in the Chiemgau Arena and secured their second podium of the winter. In the end, the winners from France (0 penalties + 4 spares) were 46.7 seconds behind, while Sweden (0 + 3) took second place. “A relay like the one in Oberhof can happen. Everyone was looking forward to the new opportunity,” said Preuß.
“Important for self-confidence”
“We can make amends straight away,” coach Kristian Mehringer emphasized before the race. For the first time this winter, Vanessa Voigt was missing from a season. The 26-year-old injured her hand after a fall in Oberhof and was given a break. Hettich-Walz got started in bright sunshine and no wind. With a flawless prone shooting she caused an initial cautious cheer from the majority of the spectators, but then two spare rounds followed at the standing position. After handing over to Schneider in sixth place, she fell completely exhausted into the snow.
Schneider took to the trail 18.4 seconds behind the leader, and with a good running performance she kept the German team close to the podium. There were two error-free series at the shooting range. She sent Preuss into the race in fourth place, with a big grin on her face, Schneider high-fived everyone who came in her way in the finish area. “That was important for self-confidence,” said the 26-year-old.
Preuß then even put her team in the lead, and coach Sverre Olsbu Röiseland also clenched his fist for the first time after a perfect prone shooting. She also brilliantly held her nerve in the second shooting. After an outstanding fight on the final lap, the German number one sent Kebinger onto the track as the leader. She did well in her unusual role as final runner, but had to let the strong relay teams from France and Sweden go.
The women continue with the 7.5 kilometer sprint on Friday (2:30 p.m.), followed by the pursuit on Sunday (12:30 p.m.). The German men will take part in the World Cup in Ruhpolding on Thursday with their relay (2.30 p.m./all ZDF and Eurosport).