No start at the World Cup in Antholz: Biathlete Philipp Horn is slowed down by a respiratory infection shortly before the individual race.
Biathlete Philipp Horn has to forego competing at the World Cup in the Italian biathlon stronghold of Antholz at short notice. The 29-year-old is showing “typical signs of a respiratory infection,” the German Ski Association announced a few hours before the individual 15-kilometer race on Thursday (2:20 p.m./ARD).
“In consultation with the athlete, trainer and medical team, we have decided not to do any more competition with Philipp this week,” it continued. Horn recently finished eleventh in the sprint and 15th in the pursuit in front of his home crowd in Ruhpolding. He is in 21st place in the overall World Cup rankings. He has already met the association’s internal standard for the World Championships from February 7th to 18th in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
World Cup debut for Riethmüller
Instead of Horn, Danilo Riethmüller will now be used at the World Cup dress rehearsal in Italy. The 24-year-old, who won the mass start in the second-class IBU Cup in Ridnaun last weekend, is celebrating his World Cup debut for the DSV team in the 15-kilometer race.
Benedikt Doll (SZ Breitnau), Johannes Kühn (WSV Reit im Winkl), Philipp Nawrath (SK Nesselwang), Roman Rees (SV Schauinsland) and Justus Strelow (SG Stahl Schmiedeberg) are also chasing the podium.
In addition to the individual over 15 kilometers, the single mixed relay (12.55 p.m.) and mixed relay (2.45 p.m.) are on the program on Saturday. The mass start follows on Sunday (12.30 p.m.).