Actually, Vanessa Hinz wanted to celebrate her World Cup comeback on the Pokljuka. But the 30-year-old had to leave early due to respiratory problems.
The former relay world champion Vanessa Hinz has to give up her return to the biathlon world cup at short notice. The Bavarian has been suffering from symptoms since Wednesday evening (04.01.23). “in the area of the upper airways, which do not allow participation in competitions”, said the German team doctor Katharina Blume at the Pokljuka in Slovenia: “It is important that she can recover as quickly as possible, which is why she went home today.”
Good World Cup memories
Actually, the three-time world champion Hinz should have competed in the sprint for the first time this season in the World Cup on Thursday (2:20 p.m. / live ticker at Sportschau.de). The Bavarian was full of anticipation: “Of course I have good memories from the World Championships and I like the track. I just like it up there and that’s why I’m happy.”said the 30-year-old.
Another setback for Hinz
At the World Championships on the Slovenian plateau two years ago, she showed strong individual races and won silver with the German relay, it is one of seven medals at World Championships that she has won since 2015. Almost a year ago there was also bronze at the Olympics with the German team. Hinz was mostly fixed – until this season.
After a few setbacks, she had lost her place on the team and was about to fight her way back. Hinz complained of back problems after the Summer World Championships in Ruhpolding at the end of August last year, fell ill afterwards, tore the lateral ligament in his left foot and also contracted tendonitis in his right hand.
Successful in the IBU Cup
In the IBU Cup, she made three podiums at the start of the season, commending herself for more. Participation in the home World Cup in Oberhof (February 8th to 19th) is becoming increasingly unlikely due to the recent setback.
Preuss is also out
In Franziska Preuss, another German top performer of recent years in Slovenia is also missing.