The top favorite has made a dream start to the Para World Championships. Biathlete Linn Kazmaier won the sprint in Canada on Wednesday (March 6th, 2024). The German team was already happy about winning medals on the opening day.
Linn Kazmaier, who is only 17 years old, gave the German team its first gold medal at the Para World Championships for cross-country skiers and biathletes in Prince George, Canada. The visually impaired student from Nürtingen, Swabia, won the 7.5 kilometer sprint ahead of her teammates Leonie Walter and Johanna Recktenwald.
Germany celebrated a triple victory, which had already become apparent in the World Cup. There is simply a lack of competition, which is mainly due to the ban on Russian athletes. This is exactly what Kazmaier wants back – purely for sporting reasons. “You always want the best possible competition,” she says, “and it would be nice if the best athletes were there.”
Wicker and Maier on that Winners’ podium
Anja WIcker, a paraplegic, celebrated silver in the sprint. In addition, three-time world champion Marco Maier from Blaichach made it onto the podium in third place in the standing class.
Schedule for the World Cup
- Thursday, March 7th from 7 p.m.: Individual race (12.5 km)
- Saturday, March 9th from 9:45 p.m.: Pursuit race (2.4 km for sitting class, 3.6 km for standing classes)
- Sunday, March 10th from 9:45 p.m.: Team sprint (4 x 0.8 km for sitting class, 4 x 1.2 km for standing class)
The German squad for the Para Biathlon World Championships
Women with visual impairment
Linn Kazmaier (SZ Römerstein, guide: Florian Baumann), Johanna Recktenwald (Saarland, guide: Pirmin Schlitzer), Leonie Walter (SC St. Peter, guide: Christian Krasman)
Women sitting
Andrea Eskau (USC Magdeburg), Anja Wicker (MTV Stuttgart)
Men with visual impairment
Nico Messinger (Freiburg, Guide: Robin Wunderle), Lennart Volkert (PSV Munich, Guide: Nils Kolb)
Men standing
Alexander Ehler (SV Kirchzarten), Marco Maier (SV Kirchzarten)