Selina Grotian crowned a strong performance at the start of the Biathlon World Cup in Antholz with her second-best result of the season. The former world-class ski hunter Laura Dahlmeier was impressed afterwards.
Biathlete Selina Grotian gave the German Ski Association (DSV) another top result this winter alongside overall World Cup leader Franziska Preuß. In the Antholz sprint, the 20-year-old came second ahead of her teammate. Only Preuss’ closest World Cup competitor, Lou Jeanmonnot from France, was faster, 7.2 seconds ahead of Grotian.
“I couldn’t be happier right now,” said Grotian in the “ZDF” interview: “I gave it my all. I was almost dizzy from the effort at the finish.”
But the DSV athlete didn’t just show a mature performance in terms of running. She also kept her nerve at the shooting range and made it through the two rounds without making any mistakes. “It’s been a long time since I scored 0-0 in a sprint. My fourth goal while standing was lucky. But I kept calm,” Grotian’s analysis was correspondingly positive.
Dahlmeier ennobles biathlon jewel Grotian
There was praise not only from national coach Kristian Mehringer, who was “super happy” with the outcome of the race. “ZDF” expert Laura Dahlmeier was also enthusiastic.
The 31-year-old praised the “tactically clever race division in the second half. She did a great job.” In addition, the second shooting, for which Grotian only needed 22.4 seconds, was “insanely fast”. “She did it perfectly, there’s no room for improvement.”
For Selian Grotian it was the first World Cup competition in her young career in Antholz, where the races take place at an altitude of 1600 m. She achieved her best result shortly before Christmas in the mass start in Annecy when she came first.
The men’s 10 km sprint continues in Antholz on Friday (2:30 p.m./ZDF and Eurosport). On Saturday the women’s pursuit and the men’s relay are on the program, and on Sunday at the end of the World Cup the men’s pursuit and the women’s relay are on the program.