Danilo Riethmüller sensationally made it onto the World Cup podium for the first time in the last biathlon race of the year.
The 25-year-old came second in the mass start in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand after a strong performance, just four seconds behind winner Tarjei Bö after 15 kilometers and one penalty loop. Previously, a fourth place in the mass start in Kontiolahti had been his best World Cup result, only Philipp Nawrath had made it onto the podium among the German biathletes so far this winter.
“I was a bit trembling because I knew Johannes Thingnes was coming. Until the last climb I thought they were coming from behind,” said Riethmüller on “ARD”: “But somehow I’m doing quite well brought to the goal.”
He managed to hold on to himself in the last shooting, “I was able to do my thing coolly and run past the penalty loop.” With second place, he also took over the red jersey in the mass start World Cup.
Nawrath and Kühn also in the top 10
Riethmüller made his only mistake in the second shooting and moved back into the top group with two flawless standing series. On the last lap he bravely defended his second place from the onrushing dominator Johannes Thingnes Bö (3 penalties/+9.7 seconds). His brother Tarjei wasn’t even included in the Norwegian team for the sprint and pursuit; with just one mistake he made it straight back to the top from the reserve list.
Things also went very well for other German starters, especially at the shooting range, in the pouring rain. Philipp Nawrath (1/+36.3) came seventh, directly behind him was Johannes Kühn (0/+36.9) and thus secured the World Championship standard. Justus Strelow (3/+2:22.6) came in 24th, Philipp Horn (6/+2:41.7) came in 26th after a strong sprint and good pursuit.
Nawrath and Strelow are going to the biathlon at Schalke on December 28th. The new year starts with the home World Cups in Oberhof (January 9th to 12th) and Ruhpolding (January 15th to 19th), the highlight of the season is the World Championships in Lenzerheide (February 12th to 23rd).