The Para-Skilangläufer are included in the World Cup in Trondheim for the first time. So also Johanna Recktenwald, who, together with accompanying runner Emily Weiß, was able to celebrate her first big title this year. A success for the duo that would not have been possible without firm trust.
Johanna Recktenwald had probably expected the least. Because the long runner and biathlete has never been on the podium in an international race. Until she celebrated her first great success at the Para Biathlon World Championship in early February, namely the World Cup title in singles. Before that, she won silver twice.
“That was really blatant”says Recktenwald in an interview with the sports show. “The whole World Cup went very well for us, but that Emily and I were able to celebrate such a great success directly was a little surprising. It is a very nice feeling and a great motivation for the future.”
Only since this season a duo
With Emily Recktenwald means her accompanying runner, Emily Weiß. Because the Saarlander competes in the starting class of visual impaired athletes and is therefore dependent on a guide during the race. With white she has only been a duo since this season, before that Recktenwald with accompanying runners such as Lutz Klausmann or Pirmin Strecker was successful in the World Cup and at World Championships and Paralympics on the way. The 23-year-old has won several medals since her 2018 World Cup debut, only one victory was still missing.
Recktenwald and Weiß have known each other for years, and they train together at the Olympic base in Freiburg. After Strecker ended his career, Recktenwald needed a new accompanying runner. It was not planned that something would become of the duo. Recktenwald was supposed to compete with Louisa Haag, which, however, failed due to illness in January. “It was all spontaneous. At the beginning of the winter, it was said that I was only running a few competitions with Johanna. Now I go with her as a permanent accompanying runner in the rest of the season”so white. And also towards Paralympics next year.
The Accompanying runner replaces the eyes
In order to be successful there, there must be absolute trust in each other. Because if it goes down the cross -country ski run quickly in the descents up to 50 kilometers per hour, Recktenwald, which has little vision due to an innate eye disease, must be able to rely on white. “Emily runs in front of me and tells me the entire route. She quasi replaces my eyes”explains the 23-year-old. “I then rely on their commands, for example in the curves or when it goes uphill or downhill.”
In turn, a certain self -confidence on the route has to radiate, simply that there was no uncertainty at Recktenwald during the race. “Even if I now find a situation difficult, I shouldn’t show that”so white. The fact that she is not as much in the spotlight as her partner as her partner, does nothing to her. Quite the opposite. “I think it’s actually very nice that it is not necessarily about me, but I can help Johanna to call up her performance. So the pressure on me does not apply specifically”adds the 21-year-old.
Also a good team privately
Which also helps: to understand each other privately. And the two students definitely do that. After all, you not only spend the time with each other during the race, but also away from the route in training and in the evening in the hotel. “If you do not like yourself on a human level or have few things in common, it will be very difficult in the long run”according to Recktenwald. It also makes a big difference that they are two women. “The interpersonal is simply right from Ms. to Ms..”
Recktenwald and white are actually one of the few women duo in the World Cup. The accompanying runners are also mainly male among the cross -country skiers. This is often due to the fact that a guide should bring a higher fitness level, since it not only leads its athlete, but also has to give commands throughout. No problem for knows. Recktenwald sees another advantage in running together with a woman. “Because Emily and I are the same size, it is easier for them to take the step so that we can run synchronously.”
Enjoy the World Cup in Trondheim
At the Nordic Ski World Championship in Trondheim, where the para lasting runners will also be part of the competitions for the first time, Recktenwald has to do without her accompanying runner. White has university exams that she couldn’t move. That’s why Robin Wunderle, who actually runs together with Nico Messinger, jumps for her in the sprint race (decision on Wednesday). Not ideal, but not that unusual. Recktenwald does not describe himself as a sprint specialist, but she still wants to achieve the final. “And then I just see what’s going on.” At least the bronze medal jumped out at the last World Cup 2023.
However, she is mainly happy to be able to be there as a para athlete in Trondheim. “It is the first time that we play a competition with the Olympic athletes at the same time at the same time. This is a small step towards inclusion. I just want to enjoy that and hope to deliver a good competition.” Only this time not with Emily white at her side. However, this will surely keep your fingers crossed from Freiburg.