Janina Hettich-Walz gives the German biathlon team its first World Cup medal in Nove Mesto. But the women’s singles delivers much more than just the Black Forest woman’s sensational silver medal. Much more important is the much-needed proof: it’s possible!
Fairy tales are by definition “Stories passed down among the people in which supernatural forces and figures intervene in people’s lives“. A popular feature of the fairy tale is the happy ending. Of course, neither dragons nor elves flew through the arena at the women’s singles event in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, but miraculous things still happened. When Janina Hettich-Walz crossed the finish line, she was overcome with positive shock written on her face. She clasped her hands in front of her face in disbelief. As she later reported, at that moment she couldn’t even realize that she had just completed the race of her life.
First podium of his career
The 27-year-old struggled for 15 kilometers over the soapy and strenuous route from Nove Mesto. Their running time was good, but not great. However, at the shooting range she showed a world-class performance. She shot evenly, she stayed calm and, above all, she hit. Slice after slice turned from black to white. Before the last series, Hettich-Walz was clear that she was very well in the race after 15 goals. “I tried to ignore what it was about“, reports the 27-year-old: “I wanted to breathe deeply and keep the focus on myself. I’m so happy and proud of myself for accomplishing this.“She also hit the remaining five shots and thus laid the foundation for the fulfillment of a”Life dream“, as she called her first World Cup medal. It was the first podium ever for the Black Forest woman – and then directly at a World Championships: almost too cheesy to be true.
“In defeat you grow together”
But there was to be much more to this fairytale evening in the Czech forest than just the first World Cup medal for the German Ski Association at these World Games. It was the much-needed proof: it’s possible. After five disappointing competitions at the start, there was heated discussion – about the poor material, the weakness at the shooting range and generally the Germans were just lagging behind at the moment. “I think this is a medal for the whole team“, Hettich-Walz describes the surprise success. With debutante Selina Grotian (4th) and Vanessa Voigt (5th), two other German women also ended up in the top 5. “I think this is extremely important“, women’s head coach Kristian Mehringer underlines the importance of the strong team performance: “We already believed in ourselves. And today we gave the answer.”
After two difficult years, the greatest success of his career
Back to Janina Hettich-Walz. When the sensational silver medal was decided, the vice world champion in the mixed zone beamed as she made her way from interview to interview. Swedes, Norwegians, French people – suddenly everyone wanted to talk to her. “Unbelievable” could be read from her lips several times at the deafening volume in the arena. Unbelievable. “The last two years have not been easy for me“, Hettich-Walz looked back. At times last season she wasn’t even part of the World Cup team and had to compete in the second-class IBU Cup. This winter she only secured her ticket for the A-level in an elimination race in Sjusjoen, Norway. squad.”This year I was more stable again. I found faith in myself.”
One of the most popular features of a fairy tale is the happy ending. After Hettich-Walz received the silver medal around his neck at the award ceremony, the DSV delegation gathered for a group photo on the winners’ podium. For the first time at this World Cup, everything was right with the world. Now this happy ending could be a “Happy start“It’s only half time at the World Games. There are still six races left for further fairytale German successes.