The former world champions Franziska Preuss and Vanessa Hinz are also absent from the German biathletes at the World Cup home game in Ruhpolding. However, the weather is also causing concern for the upcoming races from Wednesday to Sunday.
Preuss and Hinz have recently been struggling with colds and were unable to attend the first World Cup of the year on the Pokljuka plateau in Slovenia last week. On the other hand, Anna Weidel, who was last spared from the pursuit of Pokljuka, is returning, and Thuringia’s Juliane Frühwirt is also joining the team.
Change also in the men’s team
A month before the start of the home World Championships in Oberhof (February 8th to 19th), there is also a change in the men’s team before the start on Wednesday. After weak performances, Philipp Horn is no longer in the team of national coach Mark Kirchner, but Philipp Nawrath is returning.
In Ruhpolding they want to get involved at the front again
After the ski hunters in Slovenia remained without a podium place for the first time this season, things should go up again. “We are already working intensively with everyone involved to ensure that we can play a better role again in Ruhpolding“said DSV sports director Felix Bitterling.
With the support of the fans through difficult conditions
The conditions are good but not perfect. It took a lot of effort to prepare a thin strip of snow that meanders through the green forest at the Chiemgau Arena between Unternberg and Zirmberg when it rains and the temperatures are too high. The six races should take place as planned. “In terms of weather, the week in Ruhpolding will certainly not be easy‘ said Bitterling: ‘After two years of Ghost World Cups, we hope all the more for the great support of our fans. We are ready to attack again.”
Wahlruhpoldinger Denise Hermann-Wick also hopes “that the track conditions are fair“. She feels good and is looking forward to seeing many familiar faces at the side of the track at the home World Cup and “das my parents are coming now“. Team colleague Sophia Schneider finds it “really cool to be there myself” at the competition on her doorstep.
The twelve-man DSV team
Women: Juliane Frühwirt (SV Motor Tambach-Dietharz), Denise Herrmann-Wick (WSC Erzgebirge Oberwiesenthal), Janina Hettich-Walz (SC Schönwald), Sophia Schneider (SV Oberteisendorf eV), Vanessa Voigt (SV Rotterode) and Anna Weidel (WSV Kiefersfelden) .
Men: Benedikt Doll (SZ Breitnau), Johannes Kühn (WSV Reit im Winkl), Philipp Nawrath (SK Nesselwang), Roman Rees (SV Schauinsland), Justus Strelow (SG Stahl Schmiedeberg) and David Zobel (SC Partenkirchen).