Are the German biathletes writing another chapter of success story at the second World Cup stop in Hochfilzen? For Anna Weidel it’s a celebration even before the first race.
The ski hunter from WSV Kiefersfelden is joining the World Cup team for Hanna Kebinger. The German Ski Association announced this on Wednesday (December 6, 2023). Accordingly, Kebinger could not start due to illness. “We are pleased that she is there and hope that she can show good races in Hochfilzen“said sports director Felix Bitterling in the direction of Weidel.
DSV team: Confident, but not arrogant
Otherwise, the German team remains unchanged. After the dream start, there was no reason for a change. The two overall leaders Franziska Preuß and Philipp Nawrath are at the head of the DSV team, which also wants to deliver top performances at the second World Cup of the season in Hochfilzen, Austria.
“We managed to be perfectly fit there and also benefited from one or two weaknesses of favorites from other nations”says Bitterling. However, you don’t take the successes for granted and you know that “We have to fight for good placings every week”. The sports director said that people are traveling to Hochfilzen in a positive way, but without any form of arrogance.
Best start to the season ever
In Sweden, the German ski hunters had the best start ever with ten podium places in the first races of the season and celebrated two victories with Rees (individual) and Nawrath (sprint). There were also second places for Justus Strelow (individual), Nawrath (pursuit) and Preuß (sprint and pursuit) as well as third places for both relays and Voigt (sprint and pursuit).
“After the long time in Scandinavia, I’m really looking forward to the Alps and being home again,” said Nawrath. For him, Hochfilzen is that “Neighboring biathlon facility” and being able to run in front of your home audience is always something very special. “I want to pick up where I left off in Östersund and I’m really happy to be wearing the yellow jersey”said the 30-year-old.
In Hochfilzen the sprinting takes place first
Will the success story continue? The sprints start on Friday. For the men, Östersund winner Nawrath, former world champion Benedikt Doll, Johannes Kühn, Roman Rees, Justus Strelow and David Zobel will be competing from 11.30 a.m. (live on Erste).
For the women, from 2:25 p.m., in addition to Preuß and Weidel, there will also be Selina Grotian, Janina Hettich-Walz, Sophia Schneider and Vanessa Voigt.
Source: Sanny Stephan with dpa