biathlon
Herrmann-Wick believes in successors: “Very much possible”
Give the DSV athletes a lot of credit: Denise Herrmann-Wick. photo
© Angelika Warmuth/dpa
A new era begins for German biathletes. After Denise Herrmann-Wick’s resignation, the focus is more on young talent. The Saxon woman is convinced by the young team.
After the end of her career, the individual Olympic champion was at the shooting range for the last time on May 30th before she had to give up her weapon forever and began a new life in which sport continues to play a major role. “I wouldn’t be in that bad a mood,” said the 34-year-old with a laugh before the start of the World Cup winter this Saturday (12.30 p.m./ARD and Eurosport) with the mixed competitions in Östersund, Sweden.
Long-time leader is missing
The German biathletes will be competing there for the first time without their long-standing leader. The gold medalist from Beijing secured all the individual World Cup podiums in the previous season with three wins and two third places, as well as the fantastic sprint triumph at the home World Championships in Oberhof as well as World Championship silver in the pursuit and relay. With these performances, Herrmann-Wick absorbed a lot in the German women’s team – like a protective shield for her young teammates. “But it can be helpful that we don’t just have one leader and the others follow behind,” said women’s head coach Kristian Mehringer.
Herrmann-Wick is positive about the upcoming winter. “I absolutely count on the girls as a team, but also in their individual performances. Hanna Kebinger, Sophia Schneider and Vanessa Voigt recently had a bomb season. If everything comes together, a lot is possible,” said Herrmann-Wick. The experiences at the home World Cup in Thuringia could also help. “The competition is strong. But there is a great chance of opening the door really wide,” said Herrmann-Wick, who is also relying on the experienced returnee Franziska Preuß. The 29-year-old returned in the summer after a long forced break and immediately won all three titles at the German rollerski championships.
Don’t build up pressure
Top talent Selina Grotian (19), who won four gold medals at the Junior World Championships in the spring, should first be allowed to gain experience in peace. “It’s more about building them up for the next few years and gaining experience. It would be fundamentally wrong to put pressure on them,” said Herrmann-Wick. If anyone needs help, she is still available to everyone.
There will be no rescission of resignation. The decision still feels good months later. “It was one of the best years of sport in my life. I had a lot of fun right up to the last meter, so I’m totally grateful that I was able to experience it like that,” said the former cross-country skier. She only switched to biathlon in 2017 and quickly celebrated success. Nine World Cup and two Olympic medals were the reward for a courageous change of discipline in older athletes.
You won’t see her as a trainer on the track in the future. But she remains loyal to biathlon. This winter she is taking part in the World Cups in Hochfilzen, Lenzerheide, Ruhpolding and Antholz for a sponsor. Currently, building a house in Ruhpolding with her husband Thomas also requires a lot of attention. She has also started a three-and-a-half-year bachelor’s distance learning course in life coaching in Ismaning and gives lectures. “That gets me further with the things I’m already doing – and let’s see where it takes me,” said Herrmann-Wick.