Can German cross-country skiers build on the successes of the previous season next winter? National coach Peter Schlickenrieder says: That is the goal. To do this, he increased the intensity in training – and worked on his duel behavior. When it comes to the fluorine ban, he makes a simple calculation. But the best German man is missing at the start in Finland.
Inspired by last season’s successes with two World Cup medals, the German cross-country skiers are confidently heading into the World Cup starting this weekend in Ruka, Finland. “We are putting success on a broader footing”promises national coach Peter Schlickenrieder in the Sportschau interview.
The 53-year-old promises that a lot can be expected from the strong women’s team: “We are moving away from the autocracy of Katta and Vicki”says Schlickenrieder, referring to the Olympic team sprint champions Katharina Hennig and Victoria Carl. “We will also see one or two exclamation points from one of the young girls”the coach hopes for notable successes from 23-year-old Lisa Lohmannn or 21-year-old Helen Hoffmann.
Strong cross-country skiing season 2022/2023
For German cross-country skiers, the past season was more successful than ever before. The women ran to World Cup silver in the relay, the men to World Cup bronze. Hennig had won the Tour de Ski, the first World Cup victory for a German cross-country skier since 2009, had taken four more podium places and narrowly missed out on a World Cup team sprint medal with Carl. In the men’s category, Friedrich Moch came third in the Tour de Ski final, earning the first podium finish for a German cross-country skier since 2015.
Schlickenrieder: “We can keep up”
Successes that have already paid off, says Schlickenrieder. His athletes were invited to renowned test competitions in the summer “It gave us more attention and at the same time we were able to compete with the best of the best”says the national coach: “The most important thing is that every active German cross-country skier regains self-confidence and sees that it’s possible. We can keep up, at the moment only in certain areas, but it’s possible.”
Goal for the season: “Improvements”
Schlickenrieder hopes for the upcoming season: “Individual improvements”. In the women’s race, a fifth runner should make it into the top 30 of the World Cup. With Hennig, Carl, Laura Gimmler and Pia Fink, four athletes made it into this so-called “Red Start Group” last season, which receives better starting places and higher financial donations.
Peter Schlickenrieder, Sportschau, November 22nd, 2023 4:08 p.m
Hennig: “Training was Challenge”
To achieve this, the German cross-country skiers had to sweat a lot in the summer. “The focus was on increasing the amount of training”reports Hennig. “All the training was a challenge”says the Saxon woman, happy in the new winter “build on last year’s results” want. Schlickenrieder explains with a view to the 2025 World Cup and 2026 Olympics: “Katta has increased the volumes and intensities in order to be able to reduce them again before the major events.”
Katharina Hennig, sports show, November 22nd, 2023 3:11 p.m
Schlickenrieder: “Tried something”
“It’s common for you to try something in a mid-season like this, maybe push the limits again”said Schlickenrieder. Attempts have been made to increase the intensity “To improve core parameters of endurance sports” In addition, they worked specifically on duel behavior in sprints or on double-pole thrusts.
Peter Schlickenrieder, sports show, November 22nd, 2023 3:44 p.m
Some top results from the Muonio test
The last international test competitions in Muonio, Finland in mid-November gave the coach hope that his team is on the right track. “The personal developments are positive. But we also have to keep our feet calm and not overestimate it.”said Schlickenrieder. In addition to Hennnig, Carl, Gimmler and Moch, 23-year-old Anian Sossau also made it to the top three places in Muonio. “He could make it into the top 30 in the World Cup”the national coach classifies the results.
Gastrointestinal: Season start without Moch and Hoffmann
Schlickenrieder is taking eight female and six cross-country skiers with him to the start of the World Cup in Ruka, Finland. His best man, Friedrich Moch, will be missing due to illness. Like young runner Helen Hoffmann, Moch contracted a gastrointestinal infection. They’re both doing better, but… “We don’t want to risk anything. Both are traveling next Monday”said Schlickenrieder.
Bögl: “Boy was born”
In addition to Hennig, who came third twice in Ruka last year, Lucas Bögl should also be particularly motivated. The 33-year-old veteran achieved his best individual result by finishing tenth in the pursuit race in Ruka in November 2021. Bögl also recently became a proud dad: “My preparation for the season was torpedoed by a fortunate circumstance: I left Muonio at short notice because my boy was born. Everyone is doing well and he brings us a lot of joy.”says the Upper Bavarian, however “around 250 to 400 training kilometers on snow” miss.
Lucas Bögl, Sportschau, November 22nd, 2023 3:11 p.m
Fluorine wax ban – Who has an advantage?
Schlickenrieder is looking forward to the ban on fluorine-containing waxes that has been in effect this year: “At temperatures around zero degrees, waxing could play a crucial role.” The German team has been developing alternative waxes “With the technology center in Oberhof we have an advantage. Here we are well digitized, here all waxers exchange ideas across disciplines. We even have a lead there.”
On the other hand, says Schlickenrieder, looking at the large technical teams from Norway or Sweden: “It’s a simple mathematical calculation. If I, as a large nation, have three times as many waxers able to test waxes, it makes sense that we can figure out the best wax for specific conditions three times faster.”
Peter Schlickenrieder, sports show, November 22nd, 2023 3:41 p.m
The German cross-country skiing squad at the start of the season
Women: Victoria Carl (Zella-Mehlis), Pia Fink (Bremelau), Laura Gimmler (Oberstdorf), Katharina Hennig (Oberwiesenthal), Sofie Krehl (Oberstdorf), Lisa Lohmann (Oberhof), Coletta Rydzek (Oberstdorf), Katherine Sauerbrey (Steinbach-Hallenberg). )
Men: Lucas Bögl (Gaißach), Janosch Brugger (Schluchsee), Albert Kuchler (Lam), Florian Notz (Römerstein), Anian Sossau (Iron Doctor), Jan Stölben (Ernstberg)