Biathlon: no medal target for the Germans
At last year’ s world biathlon championships in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic), Germany won three medals, including one in the relay, but none in gold. The two individual podiums were won by Benedikt Doll, now retired, and Janina Hettich-Walz, who was on maternity leave.
This winter, the global competition takes place in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) from 12 to 23 February. It‘ s an event that the Mannschaft are approaching in a good frame of mind, one that could enable them to go one better. They have Franziska Preuss, the current world number one, Danilo Riethmueller, Philipp Nawrath and Selina Grotian in their ranks.
But Felix Bitterling, the German biathlon boss, is cautious. “We don’t have an explicit medal target, he explained in a federal press release. Our clear objective is to fight for the top places in each race and to bring at least one athlete to the front. If we manage to get off to a good start at these world championships, we have a very good chance of reaching the podium.”
Preparation in Antholz
Over the last few days, the Germans have been preparing for the World Championships in Antholz (Italy). “The athletes were able to take advantage of the opportunity to work specifically on their strengths. Overall, we’re looking forward to the next two weeks with a positive mindset,” says Felix Bitterling.
Finally, he gave an update on the January patients. Julia Tannheimer, who had to sit out the rounds in Ruhpolding (Germany) andAntholz, is showing a level that is considered “promising”. Danilo Riethmueller, who had to rest at theAntholz World Cup, is currently making a “strong impression”.
Philipp Nawrath, finally, has had to deal with a “slight illness” in recent weeks. “He seems to have recovered well, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to get back to his full level of performance straight away or whether he’ll need one or two more races,” admits Felix Bitterling.
Germany’s selection for the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide 🇨🇭
Ladies
- Selina Grotian (SC Mittenwald) 🇩🇪
- Franziska Preuss (SC Haag) 🇩🇪
- Sophia Schneider (SV Oberteisendorf) 🇩🇪
- Julia Tannheimer (DAV Ulm) 🇩🇪
- Johanna Puff (Bayrischzell SC) 🇩🇪
Men
- Philipp Horn (SV Frankenhain) 🇩🇪
- Johannes Kuehn (WSV Reit im Winkl) 🇩🇪
- Philipp Nawrath (SK Nesselwang) 🇩🇪
- Danilo Riethmueller (WSV Clausthal-Zellerfeld) 🇩🇪
- Justus Strelow (SG Stahl Schmiedeberg) 🇩🇪
The full programme for the 2025 Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide 🇨🇭
Wednesday 12 February
- 2.30pm: mixed relay
Friday 14 February
- 3.05pm: women’s 7.5 km sprint
Saturday 15 February
- 3.05pm: Men’s 10km sprint
Sunday 16 February
- 12.05pm: Women’s 10 km pursuit
- 3.05pm: Men’s 12.5 km pursuit
Tuesday 18 February
- 3.05pm: Women’s 15km individual
Wednesday 19 February
- 3.05pm: Men’s 20km individual
Thursday 20 February
- 4.05pm: Mixed singles relay
Saturday 22 February
- 12.05pm: Women’s 4×6 km relay
- 3.05pm: Men’s 4×7.5km relay
Sunday 23 February
- 1.45pm: women’s 12.5 km mass-start
- 4.05pm: men’s 15km mass-start
- The full programme for the World Championships in Lenzerheide, the highlight of the 2024/2025 season
- With Franziska Preuss, Selina Grotian and Philipp Nawrath, and Vanessa Voigt absent: the German squad for the Worlds in Lenzerheide
- Lenzerheide: after her excellent European championships, Johanna Puff takes the last German ticket for the World Championships
