Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick and former world champion Benedikt Doll lead the German biathlon elite in the first World Cup of the season. Overall, the DSV nominated six women and six men for the first World Cup stations of the winter in Kontiolathi (November 29th to December 4th) and Hochfilzen (December 8th to 11th).
Denise Herrmann-Wick, who now has a double name after her marriage to former cross-country skier Thomas Wick, was set due to her performances last winter. The same applies to Franziska Preuss and Vanessa Voigt.
Juliane Frühwirt, Sophia Schneider and Anna Weidel also secured the last three starting places for the World Cup in elimination races in Vuokatti, Finland, at the weekend.
The 24-year-old Frühwirt can only look back on four World Cup starts in her career and has always missed the points. However, with two third places in the individual and in the sprint, the sprint winner of the 2016 Youth Winter Games recently proved that she has made a step. Schneider (25), who secured the title in the sprint and in the individual, did even better. Schneider has only been active in the World Cup four times so far and hasn’t scored yet.
The situation with Anna Weidel is completely different. With 27 starts, the 27-year-old is almost one of the old hands in the team and has even finished in the top 10 twice in individual races.
Established DSV duo must start in the IBU Cup
With Janina Hettich-Walz and Vanessa Hinz, the trio outperformed two established players who now have to try their luck in the second-rate IBU Cup. The 30-year-old Hinz was suffering from back problems and an illness in preparation. She also suffered a torn ligament in her left foot and a tendonitis in her right hand.
In addition to Doll, Johannes Kühn, Philipp Nawrath and Roman Rees also secured a place in the World Cup for men. The quartet is supplemented by Justus Strelow and David Zobel, who were already able to celebrate respectable successes last season.
The German women’s squad:
Denise Herrmann-Wick (WSC Erzgebirge Oberwiesenthal), Franziska Preuss (SC Haag), Vanessa Voigt (SV Rotterode), Juliane Frühwirt (SV Motor Tambach-Dietharz), Sophia Schneider (SV Oberteisendorf eV), Anna Weidel (WSV Kiefersfelden)
The German men’s squad:
Benedikt Doll (SZ Breitnau), Johannes Kühn (WSV Reit im Winkl), Philipp Nawrath (SK Nesselwang), Roman Rees (SV Schauinsland), Justus Strelow (SG Stahl Schmiedeberg), David Zobel (SC Partenkirchen)