The German Ski Association (DSV) has announced the German biathlon squad for the upcoming World Cup in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand. While there were no changes among the men, the women are making a World Cup comeback after more than a year.
The German biathlon stars don’t have much time between the World Cup that has just ended in Hochfilzen and the upcoming event in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand (December 19th to 22nd, 2024). Anna Weidel probably doesn’t care about that.
The 28-year-old, who surprised by finishing 10th in the individual World Cup in 2021/22 and has already stormed into the top 10 in the World Cup three times, has recommended herself for a place in the German elite squad with two podium finishes in the IBU Cup. Weidel was last active in the World Cup in mid-December 2023, but at that time he couldn’t even begin to keep up on the cross-country ski trail. Now comes the next chance.
Marlene Fichtner, on the other hand, has to take a step back for the time being. After very good IBU Cup results, Fichtner was allowed to try her luck in the World Cup team in Hochfilzen, but missed the points in the sprint and pursuit.
Regardless of the staff, Felix Bitterling, biathlon sports director at DSV, showed his great anticipation for the upcoming station, which was last featured in the biathlon calendar at the end of 2022.
“The event promises a fantastic atmosphere, especially due to the recent successes of the French athletes. The atmosphere here has been great in previous years, but this time it could even surpass that in Hochfilzen,” explained Bitterling.
The following athletes are nominated for Le Grand Bornand, where the sprint, pursuit and mass start are scheduled:
Biathlon women
- Selina Grotian (SC Mittenwald)
- Julia Kink (WSV Aschau)
- Franziska Preuss (SC Haag)
- Julia Tannheimer (DAV Ulm)
- Vanessa Voigt (SV Rotterode)
- Anna Weidel (WSV Kiefersfelden)
Biathlon men
- Philipp Horn (SV Frankenhain)
- Simon Kaiser (WSV Oberhof)
- Johannes Kühn (WSV Reit im Winkl)
- Philipp Nawrath (SK Nesselwang)
- Danilo Riethmüller (WSV Clausthal-Zellerfeld)
- Justus Strelow (SG Stahl Schmiedeberg)
There is still a big question mark about the external conditions. These could “become a challenge,” warned Bitterling, referring to the weather report: “From sun to snow, everything seems possible.” However, his teams are well prepared. The sports director emphasized that the strains of the season are slowly becoming noticeable, but he hopes that everyone will retain their freshness.
German biathlon stars rave about the French backdrop
Franziska Preuß wants to take the momentum from her recent victory with the women’s relay team to Annecy-Le Grand Bornand. “I hope we can build on the achievements of Hochfilzen there,” she said.
“I’m particularly looking forward to the atmosphere in France – the fans there are simply fantastic and know biathlon really well. It’s something special when you’re cheered on by name,” she looked ahead.
Simon Kaiser is also looking forward to the scenery, but doesn’t want to be distracted.
“I plan to keep the focus on myself – especially when shooting, I want to concentrate fully on the technical elements. That worked well in the last few races and I want to continue that in France,” he said and added : “At the same time, I have to be careful not to get carried away by the mood and start too quickly, as happened to me in the first race.”
Because the atmosphere in France is “always something special!”