The three-time Olympic champion Marte Olsbu Röiseland does not compete in the individual race at the Biathlon World Championships. For Germany against six women at the start.
According to reports, the 32-year-old Röiseland could compete a day later in the single-mixed competition in Thuringia together with the now 16-time world champion Johannes Thingnes Bö. The Norwegians have not yet officially announced their squad. According to media reports, Röiseland should be rested in the heavy individual for this mission.
Herrmann-Wick among the favorites
This means there is one less competitor for Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick, who is fighting for her third medal in the third individual competition on the Rennsteig. The 34-year-old had already won gold in the sprint and silver in the pursuit.
A little over a year ago, the former cross-country skier celebrated the greatest success of her career with individual gold at the Winter Games in Beijing. Her main rivals in the fight for the podium places are likely to be Julia Simon from France and Hanna Öberg from Sweden. The defending champion is the Czech Marketa Davidova.
Debut for Anna Weidel
Six women start for the German Ski Association. After Denise Herrmann-Wick, these are Janina Hettich-Walz, Hanna Kebinger, Sophia Schneider, Vanessa Voigt and Anna Weidel. The World Cup debut is for Weidel, who has not yet been considered.
Because of the hard lap with the Birxsteig, a good race schedule is even more important than usual. Too much tiredness leads to mistakes on the shooting range – and these are particularly painful in the individual because of the penalty minutes. You can’t afford a lot of mistakes for a medal.
Sophia Schneider shows a lot of respect. “You have to plan the route well, because the Birxsteig is very demanding here. Then there are the warm conditions. It’s important not to go too fast.”she said: “I’m feeling good at the moment. That’s why I’m looking forward to it getting a little more demanding.”