Strong German result in the women’s biathlon sprint in Kontiolahti: Four German athletes made it into the top ranks, but they missed the podium. Victory went to Austria.
Austria’s Lisa Theresa Hauser won the Kontiolahti Biathlon Sprint. At the 7.5-kilometer race on Saturday (December 3, 2022) in Finland, the 28-year-old celebrated her fourth World Cup victory with a clean shooting. Hauser relegated Lisa Vittozzi from Italy (1 shooting error / + 17.3 seconds) and Linn Persson from Sweden (0 error / + 24.2 seconds) to the places.
The German biathletes just missed the podium. Only 2.4 seconds were missing Anna Weidel. The best of the DSV team shot clean and finished fifth (+ 26.6 seconds). Denise Herrmann-Wick finished sixth after a penalty loop. Sophia Schneider caused a surprise as eighth (+ 34.2 seconds).
Weidel without a mistake in fifth place
After a clean standing stage, Anna Weidel had the podium in her sights – she left the shooting range in third place. On the final lap, however, she then lost crucial seconds against the stronger runners. Fifth place is the 26-year-old’s best World Cup result.
Herrmann-Wick sixth after one penalty
For Herrmann-Wick it was even tighter on Saturday (December 3rd, 2022) after sixth place in the individual on Tuesday. The Saxon was again the fastest in the cross-country ski run, but made a mistake in the last shooting. The third shot went wide and the former cross-country skier struggled with the last shot of the standing stage. After rebuilding the attack Herrmann-Wick brought the ball into the black. After 150 extra meters on the penalty loop, Herrmann-Wick finally finished sixth.
Schneider in the top 10 for the first time
Sophia Schneider was able to really surprise. The 25-year-old from Bavaria finished eighth with one shooting error. In her eighth World Cup race, Schneider achieved the best result of her career.
Voigt runs into the top 15
Vanessa Voigt, who surprisingly came fourth in the singles, was also at the front. The Thuringian reached for the podium until the last shot of the standing shot. But that last shot missed. Voigt ended up eleventh.
Things didn’t go so well for Juliane Frühwirth, who finished outside the top 45 with three penalties.
Cold: Preuss is missing
Of the six German starting places, the German women could only take five in Apnsruch. Franziska Preuß also had to cancel the sprint race after the individual and the relay. According to the team doctors, the Ruhpolding native had to struggle with “irritated airways and coughing” in Finland. She now aims to start the season for the coming weekend in Hochfilzen, Austria.