The Biathlon World Cup starts in Ruhpolding on Wednesday. The German athletes are fighting for the last tickets for the Olympic Games. Five women and three men have already secured qualification for the games in Italy. Others still have to worry.
The pressure could hardly be greater. The World Cup in Ruhpolding is about the last tickets for the Winter Olympics in a month. But that’s not all: a good performance could boost your self-confidence before the highlight of the season.
This also applies to Franziska Preuß. The 31-year-old is looking forward to the Biathlon World Cup in her hometown of Ruhpolding. From Wednesday to Sunday the German biathletes want to put their form to the test in Upper Bavaria. “This is where I live, this is where I train. This will never lose its charm and excitement”she says. “This is a special place for me. It always gives a feeling of home.”
Will the knot “at home” burst?
In Preuß’ “living room” the knot is finally about to break. Because so far the season for the overall World Cup winner from the previous season is not going as planned. Once again she was stopped by a cold at the World Cup in Östersund. She also shows a few deficits when it comes to running.
Four weeks before the Olympic Games, she has to slowly get into top shape. Even if the Olympics don’t play a big role for them at the moment. “I’m more concerned about taking a step forward than thinking about being in four weeks.”
Preuss wants to be on the podium
What counts first is Ruhpolding: “An individual podium again would be cool”she said. “That is of course the goal now in Ruhpolding. Let’s hope for a good day.”
She had a good day in 2019. Back then, the Upper Bavarian celebrated her first World Cup victory in the Chiemgau Arena. A year ago she took two second places in front of her home crowd.
Schneider new in the squad
In addition to Preuß, the DSV also nominated Janina Hettich-Walz, Julia Tannheimer, Vanessa Voigt, Sophia Schneider and Selina Grotian for Ruhpolding. Schneider joins the squad after recent strong performances in the IBU Cup. Anna Weidel is rotating out, but will join the team again at the World Cup in Nove Mesto.
Selina Grotian is under great pressure. For the 21-year-old, who is considered the young talent, the winter so far hasn’t gone according to plan. She is still lagging behind her form and also has to worry about qualifying for the Olympics.
Grotian hopes for relaxation
“The pressure is already very great. Of course I know there are only two races left”she said. “I just have to stay mentally relaxed and confident in myself that I can still do it.”
Grotian was an integral part of the relay team last season and even celebrated her first World Cup victory. This winter, however, she had a unsuccessful start to the season. In Östersund she finished 50th in the individual and 30th in the sprint. She was then stopped by a corona infection. Since then she has not yet regained her form from last season.
Last chance for Grotian?
The DSV has a total of six starting places for the Olympics. Preuß, Voigt, Tannheimer, Hettich-Walz and Weidel have already solved the ticket. So there remains a back door for Grotian.
There are five starting places available for men. Philipp Nawrath, Philipp Horn and Justus Strelow already qualify for this. David Zobel and Lucas Fratzscher also have the chance to get their ticket at the World Cup in Ruhpolding.
Fateful place Ruhpolding
“The aim is for the athletes who have not yet met the standard to be able to present themselves again in Ruhpolding and recommend themselves for the Olympic team.”said DSV sports director Felix Bitterling. In addition to Grotian, this also includes Sophia Schneider as well as Danilo Riethmüller and Johannes Kühn.
At the last World Cup before the Olympics in Nove Mesto, the top athletes should be spared and prepare for the highlight of the season. Qualification for the Olympics has to happen in Ruhpolding.
“It would throw some people’s preparations into disarray a bit if you go to Nove Mesto and have this pressure to get results there,” explained Bitterling. That’s why the pressure is now focused on Ruhpolding.