Optimal start to the biathlon week in Hochfilzen: Denise-Herrmann-Wick ensured the first victory of the German biathletes this winter. The 33-year-old showed a perfect race in the sprint.
At the World Cup opener for the biathletes in Kontiolahti, the German women just missed out on an individual podium finish. This should now change in Hochfilzen/Austria: Denise Herrmann-Wick showed a concentrated performance in the cross-country ski run and at the shooting range and in the end won the sprint over 7.5 kilometers.
With sunny weather and generally favorable wind conditions, a surprising number of top starters had their problems at the shooting range. It quickly became clear: whoever stays flawless would end up at the front here today.
Flawless at the key shooting range
After the Italian Lisa Vittozzi (two penalties), the Oeberg sisters (Sweden/2 each), Dorothea Wierer (Italy/1) and also Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold (Norway/1) did not come through without penalties, the way was paved free for Herrmann-Wick. She stayed calm in both prone and standing and hit all ten shots.
The 33-year-old from Saxony, who trains in Ruhpolding, took the lead and held it to the end: Marketá Davidová from the Czech Republic (+ 18.1 seconds) and Julia Simon (France/+ 20.1) only came second and three.
Herrmann-Wick ends her Hochfilzen “trauma”
“With 0/0, that’s almost like an Olympic victory. Hochfilzen is a nightmare for me, I’m very happy that I overcame this trauma today”, said a happy Herrmann-Wick on ZDF. She was more than happy with her standing shooting: “Yesterday in training I did a good job again. I tried to put the tips I received into practice. I then found my rhythm well, even standing, so I wasn’t stressed.”
The other German women also had good placements. Like so many of the favorites, they had to bury their hopes of a top place on the shooting range. For Anna Weidel (Kiefersfelden/2), Sophia Schneider (Oberteisendorf/2) and Franziska Preuss (Haag/2) it was still enough for a place in the top 30 – not a bad starting position for the pursuit race on Saturday (live ticker from 11.30 a.m.). ).
Franziska Preuss is back
Franziska Preuss in particular, who was still absent in Kontiolahti due to illness, was able to live with this result: “In principle, I’m glad that the infection didn’t get stuck and that I was even able to start again. Two mistakes when shooting are annoying, but if the routine comes now, it will be even better.”
For Vanessa Voigt (Rotterode/2) and despite a flawless shooting also for Juliana Frühwirth (Tambach-Dietharz) it was not enough to place in the top 30 in Hochfilzen.