Epoch Times11. February 2024
At the end of the medalless first week of the World Cup, the disillusioned German biathletes were just extras again. Johannes Kühn took 15th place in the pursuit race, more than three minutes behind. Franziska Preuß had previously achieved the best results in Nove Mesto by finishing sixth in the sprint and pursuit.
But nothing came of the hoped-for precious metal in the Czech Republic. As was the case at the Pokljuka in Slovenia in 2021, the once successful team came away empty-handed at a World Cup in the first week. The reasons for this were, in addition to uncompetitive skis, the men’s poor shooting performance in temperatures above zero and constant rain.
“I don’t know whether I’m disappointed or not. “It’s a strange feeling,” said Preuss, who came with high hopes. Teammate Vanessa Voigt was clearer: “I already know that I will first turn off my cell phone in the hotel. You are now down to earth.”
In 15th place, the Thuringian showed a somewhat acceptable performance in the hunting race, but when the Frenchwoman Julia Simon won again, she didn’t have the slightest chance, almost three minutes behind. Janina Hettich-Walz (25th) and Sophia Schneider (37th) were even weaker.
Norwegian podium for men
“The first feedback was relatively clear that the skis weren’t great again. We don’t need to beat around it,” said sports director Felix Bitterling: “Especially with Franzi, it obviously hurts with her shooting performance and the condition she’s in. With good skis she can run up there.”
Preuss himself didn’t have a good feeling either. Although the 29-year-old was “basically satisfied,” she added: “But somehow you wish you could fight your way forward with just one mistake.” That didn’t work; instead, she lost an additional 20 seconds to the top.
Meanwhile, Simon (1 mistake) won her third gold in the third race and was already celebrating after the last shooting. Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi (1) took silver and France’s Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (4) took bronze.
In the men’s category, gold went to Johannes Thingnes Bö (3), silver and bronze were won by his Norwegian compatriots Sturla Holm Laegreid (2) and Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (3). As in the sprint, all medals went to the Scandinavians. As the best German, Kühn made four mistakes, as did Benedikt Doll, who only came 16th.
German skis suffer on the bad route
“It is very hard. I really had to fight back tears,” said Voigt. The Olympic fourth-place finisher refrained from criticizing the material too clearly in the individual, but said: “I think we need to talk about it.”
This had already happened the day before, when the men were unable to keep up with the competition or even attack in the sprint because of the poorly or incorrectly prepared skis. Benedikt Doll was the best when Norwegian Sturla Holm Laegreid won on Saturday in 13th place. Apparently the problems on the track, which was softened by the rain, could not be solved.
Last year, the retired Denise Herrmann-Wick won gold in the sprint and silver in the pursuit at the home World Championships in Oberhof. Now the German Ski Association team is already under pressure before the women’s individual on Tuesday (5.10 p.m./ARD and Eurosport).
Actually, after strong preliminary performances, there should ideally be several medals in twelve decisions – now only seven opportunities remain in the second half.
There had never been a World Championship without German medals for men and women. The team achieved its weakest result at the previous World Championships in Nove Mesto; in 2013 there was only one silver and one bronze.
Team wants to press the “reset button”.
“I hope that things will go a little further forward,” said Preuss. At the start, the former world champion already had a medal in sight with the mixed relay, but after a penalty loop she only achieved fifth place.
“I’m just trying to let all the emotions out and then hit the reset button. We have World Cup week one and then it’s all-out attack,” said Voigt, who spoke unusually openly.
It’s not about blaming the material alone for Germany’s weak performance. “I definitely don’t want to say that,” the 26-year-old made it clear: “We have to take the conditions as they are, even if it is very, very difficult for the head.”
The team will not admit defeat despite the bumpy start, said Voigt: “But it now takes even more energy.” (dpa/red)