The former biathlon star and today’s TV expert Michael Rösch believes that Denise Herrmann-Wick’s career will end next spring.
“I don’t know if she wants to stop, but my gut feeling tells me that this was her last season,” said the 2006 Olympic relay champion in an interview with “Eurosport”.
Herrmann-Wick herself explained before the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof that she was not considering resigning. With her sprint gold, the second world championship title of her career, the 34-year-old individual Olympic champion from Beijing had fueled speculation about a farewell to competitive sports.
“In order to be included in the Hall of Fame, she still needs the overall World Cup. But at some point her career will come to an end. She is now lucky enough to be able to resign theoretically,” said Rösch.
In Oberhof and especially during her hussar ride in the sprint race, he was primarily impressed by Herrmann-Wick’s charisma, says the 39-year-old.
“She was focused and still had a slight smile on her face. She had this ease. It was really impressive that she delivered despite all the pressure on that day – just like in 2022 at the Olympics,” said Rösch.
Biathlon World Cup: Big praise for young DSV aces
The achievements of Herrmann-Wick’s teammate Sophia Schneider also highlighted the biathlon icon.
The 25-year-old had won the silver medal in the relay together with Herrmann-Wick, Vanessa Voigt and Hanna Kebinger and was “one of the faces of the world championship, which was a little hinted at over the season,” says Rösch. Schneider is “no longer a chick, but still at a great age. The talent has always been there”.
Kebinger is also “a character. She’s in the mood, the attitude and the bite to fight her way up. The boys had a lot of fun,” praised Rösch.