Just in time for the season finale in Oslo, there is a large wave of resignations among women in biathlon. Several superstars resign – including the German sprint world champion Denise Herrmann-Wick. One thing is already certain: the balance of power will change in the coming years.
Around the last World Cup weekend there are a few retirements in biathlon every year. However, it is unusual for several figureheads to announce the end of their careers within just a few hours.
Record world champion Marte Olsbu Røiseland started on Tuesday morning. “It feels strange, it’s very sad, but it also feels incredibly right,” said the 32-year-old at a press conference with tears in her eyes. “Congratulations on your incredible career! It was an honor to compete with you,” said Denise Herrmann-Wick on the announcement of the 13-time World Championships gold medalist.
On the same day, Herrmann-Wick caused a bang himself. “With a bit of melancholy” the reigning sprint world champion thanks after the final at the legendary Holmenkollen. Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet from France and Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff followed on Wednesday – two other big names who will no longer be involved in the Biathlon World Cup.
Norway loses biathlon legends
Røiseland and Eckhoff alone have won 15 Olympic and 32 World Championship medals, two overall World Cup victories and a whopping 89 World Cup triumphs in recent years. The Norwegian team lost no fewer than two true biathlon legends.
“It will be quite a task for the women’s team to fill this void,” said superstar Johannes Thingnes Bø in an interview with the newspaper “Verdens Gang”. “The team isn’t as broad as the men. You’ll notice that the two aren’t there anymore,” said the overall World Cup winner of the current season.
Only Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold has been able to establish herself at the top of the world. June Arnekleiv (24), Marthe Kråkstad Johansen (24) or super talent Maren Kirkeeide (20) have to take on more responsibility in the Norwegian biathlon team from now on.
Break in German biathlon
The situation in the German team is similar. After the resignations of Magdalena Neuner (2014) and Laura Dahlmeier (2019), the DSV is again facing a turning point after the announced farewell to Herrmann-Wick.
At the last Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof, the 34-year-old won the only individual medals (gold in the sprint, silver in the pursuit) for the German team. Behind Herrmann-Wick there is a big gap at DSV that is unlikely to be filled in the short term.
At 25, Vanessa Voigt, Sophia Schneider and Hanna Kebinger certainly still have potential for improvement. The trio has not yet been able to establish itself at the absolute top of the world.
Meanwhile, Selina Grotian spreads hope. The 18-year-old recently won four gold medals at the Junior World Championships and is celebrating her World Cup debut at Holmenkollen this weekend. Ex-athlete Arnd Peiffer warned in a guest article on “biathlonworld.com” that “no miracles” should be expected from Grotian in Oslo. It seems clear: In the fight for the overall World Cup, no DSV ski hunter will be involved in the next few years.
No shortage of stars in biathlon
Despite the wave of retirements, there is no shortage of stars in biathlon. With Julia Simon (France), the leader of the overall World Cup is just 26 years old.
Great success is predicted for the 24-year-old Swede Elvira Öberg in the coming seasons. Lisa Vittozzi (Italy/28) is also not yet at the end of her development.
But one thing is clear: With the resignations of Herrmann-Wick, Røiseland, Chevalier-Bouchet and Eckhoff, a biathlon era is coming to an end.
Jannik Kube