The first day of the competition is coming up. What will be important at the Paralympic Games on Saturday, March 7th? The highlights of the day at a glance.
From 9.30 a.m.: Para Alpine skiing, downhill all classes (men/women)
On the first day of the competition, the German team won gold. Flag bearer Anna-Lena Forster starts as the top favorite in the women’s downhill (sitting). Four years ago in Beijing she won silver in the downhill and gold in the slalom and super combined. Her biggest competitor in Cortina is likely to be the Spaniard Audrey Pascual Seco. There are no German starters in the first speed race for men.
From 10 a.m.: Para Biathlon, 7.5km sitting sprint (men/women)
The biathletes start their competitions with the sprint from 10 a.m. First, the women go onto the track sitting down. German biathlete Anja Wicker, who has already won three Paralympic medals, is also hoping for a podium finish in Italy. Andrea Eskau is also taking part in her fifth Winter Paralympics. From 10:35 a.m. it is the men’s turn to sit.
From 12 p.m.: Para Biathlon, 7.5km sprint standing/visually impaired (men/women)
There will be multiple medal hopes in the biathlon sprint from 12 p.m. In the men’s event – starting at 12.40 p.m. – Marco Maier could win a medal for Germany in the standing class. Four years ago in Beijing, Maier won silver in the sprint. Nico Messinger (class of the visually impaired/from 1.50 p.m.) also wants to attack the medal places in Italy. The overall World Cup winner is taking part in the Paralympics for the third time.
In the visually impaired women category – starting at 1.15 p.m. – Linn Kazmaier, Leonie Walter and Germany’s para-athlete of the year, Johanna Recktenwald, are all considered candidates for the top places. Walter won gold in the middle distance 10 km in Beijing four years ago. Back then, Kazmeier won silver twice in the biathlon competitions.
From 1.35 p.m.: Para ice hockey, China – Germany (preliminary round)
After 20 years, the German national para ice hockey team is back at the Paralympics. A big challenge awaits at the start of the group phase. China is one of the medal favorites and won bronze in Beijing four years ago. A win for the German team would be a surprise. The other group opponents are the USA and hosts Italy.
