The German biathletes overcame the material problems in the last season of the winter and narrowly missed out on their first World Cup victory in over three years.
Julia Kink clenched her hand into a fist in celebration as she crossed the finish line, then fell into the arms of her happily waiting teammates.
Thanks in part to the 20-year-old debutante, the German women made amends in Soldier Hollow and reached the podium in the final season of the winter.
Janina Hettich-Walz, Selina Grotian, Vanessa Voigt and double junior world champion Kink took second place, just 17 seconds behind Norway.
“It was somehow as crazy as in the movies,” said Kink, who dueled for victory on the last lap with overall World Cup leader Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, on the “ARD” microphone: “That was so crazy.”
Starting “shock” for Julia Kink
For Kink, it was the emotional high point in Utah. Just a few hours before the relay she found out that she would have to step in for the ailing Sophia Schneider – and then, of all things, as the final runner. “On the one hand I was very happy, but on the other hand it was also a shock,” said Kink after her second World Cup race: “I was extremely nervous, I felt so sick shortly before the start.”
But it wasn’t just Kink who showed a brilliant performance; after all, Hettich-Walz, Grotian and Voigt had sent them into the race in an optimal starting position. Also because the material and the mileage were finally right. “That’s just biathlon, what the relay is all about,” Voigt cheered, adding that it was “much more fun.” It was the fourth German relay podium of the winter, most recently they won bronze at the World Championships in Nove Mesto.
On Friday the mood looked completely different after the weak sprint. “We have to keep working. In the relay we’ll try to do better and annoy the others,” national coach Kristian Mehringer emphasized before the race.
Biathlon: Hettich-Walz defies setback
Individual silver medalist Hettich-Walz opened the race for Germany. After a faultless prone shooting session, she needed all three spares while standing. But she made up for the small setback with a strong running performance. “I felt very good on the track,” said Hettich-Walz.
Grotian, the 13th best German in the sprint, started the race in third place. She also confirmed the image of the improved material and repeatedly showed herself to be at the top. After three reloads, she handed over to Voigt, a few seconds behind Norway.
The Thuringian kept Germany in a duel with the Scandinavians after an impeccable performance on the shooting range. Kink then lost out to Tandrevold, but confidently secured second place.
In the evening (11:05 p.m.) the biathletes will compete in their ten-kilometer sprint in Soldier Hollow. Benedikt Doll wants to be on the podium again on his farewell tour. The World Cup ends on Sunday with the women’s (5 p.m.) and men’s pursuits (6:50 p.m./all ARD and Eurosport). The season finale will take place in Canmore, Canada, from March 14th to 17th.