Double world champion Leonie Walter and Sochi Paralympic champion Anja Wicker gave the German para-biathletes a successful start to the World Cup.
With temperatures around minus 16 degrees in Vuokatti, Finland, Beijing Paralympic champion Walter was the most successful German athlete with victories in the individual race and in the sprint pursuit for women with visual impairments.
“I felt very safe at the shooting range, even though I had to be careful not to freeze my fingers and still feel the trigger”said 20-year-old Walter, who had previously come second in the sprint.
Five podium places for DBS starters
After two second places (individual, sprint), Wicker won the sprint pursuit in the sitting women’s starting class. Johanna Recktenwald finished all races in third place on the podium.
In the men’s race, Marco Maier impressed as second in the sprint pursuit. The starters from the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) achieved a total of five podium places.
Linn Kazmaier was not there. The 18-year-old multiple world champion started training late this season.