Germany already celebrated a podium finish in the single mixed relay on Sunday. However, Germany experienced a drama in the mixed relay.
In the Sigle mixed relay, Germany, represented by Selina Grotian and Justus Strelow, already secured a podium place on Sunday (you can read more about the strong race here). In the mixed relay just a few hours later it looked like a podium place and also a victory – in the end it wasn’t enough for a podium place because of 19-year-old Julia Tannheimer’s shooting errors and Franziska Preuß’s penalty loop. Sweden won ahead of France and Norway.
Tannheimer said afterwards on ZDF: “I don’t know what it was about. I have no idea.” Regarding her performance on the track, she said, “When running, the frustration helps.” Philipp Nawrath showed understanding: “Something like that happens. We will comfort you.”
Danilo Riethmüller had to get on the track first. He also took the lead in the interests of the fans in Oberhof. In the prone position he hit all the targets and ranked behind France, Norway and Ukraine. On the route, Riethmüller caught up with his competitors again and came second to Norway at the standing stop.
Riethmüller also showed a flawless performance in the second shooting and took the lead. Norway and Bulgaria pursued him. France’s Fabien Claude had to complete a penalty lap and fell back. Riethmüller gave his all in terms of running and handed over to his teammate Philipp Nawrath just behind Norway.
Nawrath had to reload once in the prone position, but he was so fast and made no mistakes that he got back on the track at the same time as the Norwegian Tarjei Bö. Sweden suffered the same fate as France: a penalty. Italy was now in third place.
In the standing position, Nawrath needed two spares, but was able to defend his lead. Norway now had to complete a penalty lap. Italy and France chased after Germany. Eric Perrot was able to lead France back forward after the penalty. Nawrath handed over to Julia Tannheimer, who now had to defend first place, with an 18-second lead.
Tannheimer marched away at the front, but France was able to make up time through Jeanne Richard and caught up. Tannheimer was the first to arrive at the prone position and then had to go into the penalty loop – drama for Germany. Norway benefited and took the lead, closely followed by France and Italy. Tannheimer returned to ninth place, over a minute behind the leader.
Norway and France each had to reload once while standing and went back to the trail at the same time. Sweden took third place. Tannheimer missed the targets once and ended up in sixth place. Norway was the first nation to surrender, followed by France and Sweden. Tannheimer handed over to Franziska Preuß in seventh place, over a minute behind.
Tannheimer then had to be comforted and hugged by the trainers. France led Sweden and Norway before the final shooting. Franziska Preuß made it through without any mistakes and took fourth place. In the standing position, Preuss also had to go into the penalty loop.