The biathlon World Cup in Lenzerheide (February 12th to 23rd) promises twelve highly exciting races, in which the German ski hunters also want to win medals.
How does Franziska Preuß present himself in Switzerland? How do the Germans beat each other? And is there the next festival for the career of Johannes Thingnes Bö? Three theses are eagerly discussed in the Sport.de editorial team before the start of the biathlon World Cup.
Thesis 1: Franzi Preuß wits mercilessly
Gerrit Kleiböhmer: No question, Franziska Preuss travels to the biathlon World Cup as one of the top favorites. The overall World Cup of the current season deserves the greatest respect, and they all have their competitors on their slippers. But does she crown your previous career in Lenzerheide with a first single gold medal? That is the big question.
Preuss was able to make the Oberhof exhaust (28th place in the sprint, 20th place in the persecution) at the start of the year with good appearances in Ruhpolding (twice second) and Antholz (twice third) forgotten. To collect gold, not just a perfect race. Above all, the bear -strong French and Swede Elvira Öberg have to weaken. My forecast: Prussia clears up, but unfortunately not a single World Cup title.
Franziska Preuss wants to clear the biathlon World Cup
Martin Armbruster: Objection! If you look at how constant Prussia delivers in all disciplines this season, a single title would only be the logical wages of your hard work. Prussia cannot be put off this winter and will bite in Lenzerheide sooner or later and will win gold at least once.
Christian Schenzel: She gets a (or more than one) medal. Point. It is simply too good this year so as not to land on the podium in four races. Gold is of course also possible. If JeanMonnot, Öberg or Braisaz-Bouchet, of all things, conjure up a perfect race on race day, but it will be tight. JeanMonnot said it himself: her good races are better than Prussia. Everything depends on who can deliver 100 percent when. One thing is certain for me: if Franzi cannot call up your maximum, then it is not enough for gold. If so, she has very good chances.
Marc Affeldt: If you consider how incredibly constant Franziska Preuss delivered in the course of the season, the second single World Cup medal, ten years after the first prank, is actually nothing in the way-whether it is enough for more, determines the competition.
While Preuss has perhaps the best winter of their career in their skis, there are a number of athletes who had to give their own expectations early. Elvira and Hanna Öberg or the French Julia Simon and Justin Braisaz-Bouchet had to bury the hope of the yellow jersey early, but could also allow themselves not to always go to the limit in the Bone Mill World Cup and focus on the World Cup place. A fact that has often proven to be a huge plus in the past.
THESE 2: DSV fetches at least two relay medals
Gerrit Kleiböhmer: As high, the expectations of the German biathlon team cannot and should not be as high. Two medals on four relay races – that would be a sensational success. For comparison: Last year in Nove Mesto, the French were the dominant nation, even won three of the four competitions. The Équipe tricolore is simply better occupied in width as now – which does not mean that the DSV relays have no chance! German women in particular are allowed to do the champagne.
Christian Schenzel: This time contradiction from me! Two relay medals must be the goal. Does that work? This depends entirely on the men, because we are honest: Unfortunately, they are the vulnerability of the team this winter. The women get their precious metal and will also be strong in the mixed competitions. It is due to the men to use the safe steep template that comes safely.
Martin Armbruster: Germany is biathlon nation and must be entitled to climb the Stockerl for every relay race. At the women’s quartet, the question of the color of the precious metal arises, but the gentlemen must not make themselves smaller than they are, but have to appear confidently. If you consider that there are still two mixed relay races, two medals from four competitions are by no means too high.
Marc Affeldt: Germany is biathlon nation, logical. These are Sweden, Italy, Norway and France, however – and the stars of these nations will make it extremely difficult for Germans. Sure, the women’s relay is favored, but the men have to catch a very good day, which could also prove to be stumbling blocks in the mixed competitions. If the question of “at least two medals” is in the room, my answer is clear: a maximum of two relay medals.
Thesis 3: Bö-Festival to the end
Christian Schenzel: Wetting against the best of all time would be very brave. I don’t see an Nove Mesto or “Böberhof” 2.0. Bö can run one and a half or two penalty rounds on the route this season. Does he get at least one golden one? Yes. Are it more? I have doubts.
Martin Armbruster: The long -time emperor of the ski hunters will get everything out of himself again and burn out fireworks in Lenzerheide. I predict nothing less than a gold hat trick by the Norwegian.
Gerrit Kleiböhmer: Johannes Thingnes Bö is to be trusted – also four World Cup titles at his last festival. Yes, the Norwegian was no longer viewed in every race this winter. But shortly before the end of the career, hanging the biathlon competition will be enough motivation. Bö will make Bö-things again.
Marc Affeldt: 20 gold, 15 silver and 5 bronze medals: This is the previous career balance of Johannes Thingnes Bö at Biathlon World Championships. At the last major event of his impressive career, the 31-year-old will continue to polish up this yield again. I doubt whether there will be three golden single medals like 2023 and 2024, but with the seasons, Bö three titles are loosely to trust.