After the Christmas break, the Biathlon World Cup is back to business. The first stop in the new year is Oberhof, where the numerous fans are hoping for a continuation of the strong German results.
The biathlon euphoria is unbroken. Especially in Germany, as was recently shown at the World Team Challenge in Schalke. And soon the DSV athletes will be able to go one better for their fans at home, because the “German World Cup weeks” will begin after the turn of the year. From January 9th to 12th, 2025, the biathlon elite will be in Oberhof, and from January 15th to 19th the entourage will stop in Ruhpolding.
Sprints, pursuit and mixed relays are on the program in the Thuringian Forest from Thursday. These are very special races for Vanessa Voigt, Justus Strelow, Danilo Riethmüller, Philipp Horn and Simon Kaiser, as they train all year round at the Grenzadler base.
Sports director Bitterling: Fans are the “twelfth man”
But that doesn’t make it any easier for German ski hunters. Once again, changing weather conditions are forecast for Oberhof, and the cross-country trails through the Thuringian Forest with the legendary Birxsteig are tough. “The tracks in Oberhof demand a lot, but – we just proved this in December – difficult conditions suit us. The results from December give us self-confidence, but we also know that the success we had back then is no guarantee.” said Felix Bitterling, the biathlon sports director in the German Ski Association (DSV), in a statement on Monday (January 6, 2025).
He is particularly looking forward to the once again great backdrop with roaring spectators: “In biathlon, the fans are our “twelfth man” – the atmosphere and support along the route help our athletes to perform at their best, even on more difficult days. We are looking forward to being there together to experience a real biathlon festival for you!”
Finally a World Cup leader again in Oberhof
In Oberhof, Franziska Preuß, a World Cup leader from Germany, will show her audience for the first time in a long time. The 30-year-old from SC Haag has delivered some gala performances so far this season, which were underlined by victories in the sprint in Hochfilzen and the pursuit in Annecy. Thuringian Vanessa Voigt has also been in strong form so far, shooting completely clean in the pursuit race in Annecy climbed onto the podium (third place).
However, it was already apparent that Voigt was in poor health. As a result, the 27-year-old athlete from WSV Rotterode could not take part in the Team Challenge in Gelsenkirchen. Anna Weidel stepped into the breach for Voigt, taking second place together with Justus Strelow from Schmiedeberg in the event, which is similar to a single mixed relay. The DSV duo Franziska Preuß/Philipp Nawrath came third.
Newcomer Riethmüller amazes
Danilo Riethmüller amazed the experts. The Saxony hitchhiker was sensational in the last race of the year in Annecy reached the World Cup podium for the first time. The 25-year-old came second in the mass start after a strong performance, just four seconds behind winner Tarjei Bö after 15 kilometers and one penalty loop. Previously, a fourth place in the mass start in Kontiolahti had been his best World Cup result, only Philipp Nawrath had made it onto the podium among the German biathletes so far this winter. With second place, Riethmüller also took over the red jersey in the mass start World Cup.
After a short break with a cold during the holidays, he is now fit again and ready for Oberhof. “This World Cup is something very special for me because it is my first start at the World Cup in Oberhof. In front of this incredible backdrop with the fantastic atmosphere, I am particularly looking forward to the support of the fans in the stadium and along the route, especially on the famous Birxsteig “, says the Riethmüller. Despite his recent podium finish, he doesn’t put unnecessary pressure on himself. His motto is: “Everything can, nothing has to!”
The German squad at a glance
Women: Selina Grotian (SC Mittenwald), Julia Kink (WSV Aschau), Franziska Preuß (SC Haag), Sophia Schneider (SV Oberteisendorf), Julia Tannheimer (DAV Ulm), Vanessa Voigt (WSV Rotterode)
Men: Philipp Horn (SV Frankenhain), Simon Kaiser (WSV Oberhof), Johannes Kühn (WSV Reit im Winkl), Philipp Nawrath (SK Nesselwang), Danilo Riethmüller (WSV Clausthal-Zellerfeld), Justus Strelow (SG Stahl Schmiedeberg)
| Date | time | Competition |
|---|---|---|
Thursday, January 9th | 2:20 p.m | Women’s sprint 7.5 km |
Fri, January 10th | 2:20 p.m | Men’s 10 km sprint |
Sat. January 11th | 12:30 p.m | Women’s Pursuit 10km |
Sat. January 11th | 2:45 p.m | Men’s pursuit 12.5 km |
Sun.,12. January | 12:20 p.m | Single mixed relay |
Sun.,12. January | 2:30 p.m | Mixed relay |
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