Shortly after Christmas, the biathlon elite will compete in the Ruhr area. The 20th edition of “Biathlon auf Schalke” brings together some of the world’s best ski hunters. Neighboring country France sends a well-known successful duo into the pot.
The defending champions Julia Simon and Fabien Claude will be competing for France in the anniversary edition of “Biathlon auf Schalke”. The World Team Challenge will take place on December 28th in the Gelsenkirchen Arena.
At Schalke, Simon and Claude will meet German hopefuls Roman Rees and Sophia Schneider, among others. “I feel honored to represent Germany at the anniversary,” said World Cup tenth Rees recently.
Norway sends 2019 winners into the race
For Schneider, “the biathlon at Schalke is not just a competition, but a sporting experience in which top performance is achieved.” Representing Germany “fills me with pride and determination. I’m really looking forward to this milestone and celebrating it with unforgettable moments,” said the DSV athlete in advance.
Simon Schempp and Vanessa Hinz ensured the last German victory to date in 2016. Schneider had already impressed in the junior competition of the World Team Challenge in 2017. “I can still remember my first race in the Veltins Arena. Now I’m starting as Team 1 for Germany and at the anniversary too,” said the 26-year-old, who made her debut in the World Cup last winter had given. The second German team will be nominated shortly.
It is already clear who will compete for the biathlon nation Norway. The Northern Europeans are sending Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen into the race. Christiansen knows how it works: The 31-year-old was able to win Røiseland in Gelsenkirchen in 2019 together with the now retired record world champion Marte Olsbu.