A tailor-made start to the season: Barely two weeks after her debut in the IBU Cup, 21-year-old Johanna Puff can get a taste of World Cup air for the first time. She replaces Anna Weidel, who is ill.
It was less than two weeks ago that Johanna Puff competed in the IBU Cup, the second biathlon league, in Kontiolahti for the first time. In the individual she came sixth straight away, and in the fourth race she even sprinted to her first victory. Her furious start is now rewarded, she can compete in her first World Cup race in Lenzerheide. Puff replaces Anna Weidel, who is out with an injury.
“II still can’t really believe it myself“said Puff.”Everything happened in quick succession. If someone had told me two weeks ago that things were going so well in the IBU Cup and that I would get my first victory, I wouldn’t have believed it myself.“The chance to get a taste of the World Cup for the first time is “definitely very cool.”
Puff has already cheered in Lenzerheide
The young talent has good memories of Lenzerheide: Here she competed in her first races on the international stage at the 2020 Youth World Championships and won bronze in the relay.
Last winter, the biathlete from SC Bayrischzell impressed in the Junior IBU Cup with four wins and a second place. She went into the new season with rather low expectations.
“Interplay between excitement and anticipation”
The 21-year-old probably only vaguely dreamed of such a successful start to the winter and an early nomination for the World Cup team. Your World Cup start in the fast lane now finds its first highlight in Lenzerheide.
“It’s an interplay between excitement and anticipation” said Puff. “I try to do my best and do my shooting cleanly. While we’re running, we’ll see what’s going on. In the end, I can only gain experience for the next few years.“
Bitterling: “Not a big one expectations”
Puff should now enjoy the first World Cup weekend with the A team without any worries. The biathlon sports director, Felix Bitterling, also sees it this way: “It’s about gaining experience, there’s not much expectation right now.”
No matter how Puff does this weekend, she is already a winner for the new World Cup winter.