Janina Hettich-Walz gives the German biathlon team its first World Cup medal in Nove Mesto. But the women’s singles delivers much more than just the Black Forest woman’s sensational silver medal. Much more important is the much-needed proof: it’s possible!
By definition, fairy tales are “folk-traditional stories in which supernatural forces and characters intervene in people’s lives.” A popular feature of fairy tales is the happy ending. Of course, neither dragons nor elves flew through the arena during the women’s singles in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, but miraculous things still happened. When Janina Hettich-Walz crossed the finish line, the positive shock was written all over her face. She clasped her hands in front of her face in disbelief. As she later reported, at that moment she had no idea that she had just completed the race of her life.
First podium of his career
The 27-year-old struggled for 15 kilometers over the soapy and strenuous route from Nove Mesto. Their running time was good, but not great. However, at the shooting range she showed a world-class performance. She shot evenly, she stayed calm and, above all, she hit. Slice after slice turned from black to white. Before the last series, Hettich-Walz was clear that she was very well in the race after 15 goals. “I tried to ignore what it was about,” reports the 27-year-old: “I wanted to take a deep breath and keep the focus on myself. I’m so happy and proud of myself that I managed to do that.” She also hit the remaining five shots, laying the foundation for the fulfillment of a “lifelong dream,” as she called her first World Championship medal. It was the first podium ever for the Black Forest woman – and then directly at a world championship: almost too cheesy to be true.
“In defeat you grow together”
But there was to be much more to this fairytale evening in the Czech forest than just the first World Cup medal for the German Ski Association at these World Games. It was the much-needed proof: it’s possible. After five disappointing competitions at the start, there was heated discussion – about the poor material, the weakness at the shooting range and generally the Germans were just lagging behind at the moment. “I think this is a medal for the whole team,” is how Hettich-Walz describes the surprise success. With debutante Selina Grotian (4th) and Vanessa Voigt (5th), two more German women also ended up in the top 5. “I think that’s extremely important,” says women’s head coach Kristian Mehringer, emphasizing the importance of the strong team performance: “We already believed in ourselves. And today we gave the answer.”
After two difficult years, the greatest success of his career
Back to Janina Hettich-Walz. When the sensational silver medal was decided, the vice world champion in the mixed zone beamed as she made her way from interview to interview. Swedes, Norwegians, French people – suddenly everyone wanted to talk to her. “Unbelievable” could be heard on her lips several times at deafening volume in the arena. Incredible. “The last two years haven’t been easy for me,” Hettich-Walz reflected. At times last season she wasn’t even part of the World Cup team and had to compete in the second-tier IBU Cup. This winter she only secured her ticket for the A squad in an elimination race in Sjusjoen, Norway. “This year I was more stable again. I found faith in myself.”
One of the most popular features of a fairy tale is the happy ending. After Hettich-Walz received the silver medal around his neck at the award ceremony, the DSV delegation gathered for a group photo on the winners’ podium. For the first time at this World Cup, everything was right with the world. Now this happy ending could become a “happy start”. It’s only half time at the World Games. There are six races left for further fairytale German successes.