The twelve-member German team for the first Biathlon World Cup is in place. A former world champion is celebrating a comeback, and a top talent is also there.
Vanessa Voigt and Benedikt Doll lead the twelve-member German team in the first Biathlon World Cup of the season. The German Ski Association (DSV) announced on Monday (November 13th, 2023) the German starters for the World Cup opener at the end of November in Östersund, Sweden. Franziska Preuß, who has been injured for a long time, can look forward to a comeback.
Preuß returned after a long break
The former biathlon world champion Preuß returns to the World Cup team following a coach’s decision after a final training weekend in Sjusoen, Norway. The 29-year-old completely withdrew from the World Cup last season at the end of January due to health problems and also forgo the home World Cup in Oberhof. During her competitive comeback in September, she won three titles at the German championships. Last weekend, the Ruhpolding native finished 22nd in test competitions in Sjusjoen, Norway. and Mass Start-25.
Voigt and Hettich-Walz best Germans in Sjusjoen
The best Germans at the Norwegians’ traditional season opening in Sjusjoen were Vanesa Voigt in sixth place in the mass start and Janina Hettich-Walz in tenth place in the sprint. The 27-year-old Hettich-Walz grabbed the World Cup ticket with her tenth place as “Best of the qualification Sjusjoen“. In addition to last year’s World Cup twelfth, Voigt, Hanna Kebinger and Sophia Schneider were already pre-qualified.
Top talent Grotian is also there in the World Cup
In addition to Preuß, Selina Grotian was also included in the team by coach’s decision. The 19-year-old Grotian came 33rd (sprint) and 16th (mass start) in Sjusoen. As a four-time junior world champion, the Mittenwald native is one of Germany’s greatest talents.
Doll: Best non-Norwegian in the Sjusjoen sprint
In the men’s category, Benedikt Doll and Roman Rees had already secured their World Cup tickets as fourth and ninth overall in the World Cup last year. As fifth and therefore the best non-Norwegian in the sprint, Doll also underlined his expectations in Sjusjoen. Rees finished eleventh here.
Zobel and Kühn outdo Fratzscher and Horn
Philipp Nawrath, Justus Strelow, David Zobel and Johannes Kühn also secured the nomination for the first World Cup trimester. Nawrath impressed as 14th in the mass start, Strelow was 22nd in the sprint and mass start. Zobel (places 26 and 20) and Kühn (28/18) beat their internal team competitors Lukas Fratzscher (30/21), Simon Kaiser (27/24 ) and Philipp Horn (19/32).
Season starts on November 25th with mixed relays
The Biathletes World Cup begins on November 25th with a single mixed and a mixed relay in Östersund. Denise Herrmann-Wick is no longer part of the German team. The individual Olympic champion and two-time world champion ended her career after last season.