Title: Biathlon World Cup: German Relay Faces Significant Challenge in Antholz

In Antholz, the German relay team struggled once more, finishing seventh and over three minutes behind the leaders. The men’s team, unlike their successful female counterparts, faced significant challenges, with Justus Strelow placing 49th and Philipp Horn as the top German in 11th. Sports director Felix Bitterling acknowledged the stark contrast in performances and expressed optimism for future improvements. Despite setbacks, Johannes Kühn’s efforts offered a glimpse of hope as the team looks forward to upcoming events for redemption.

German Relay Team Struggles in Antholz

Following a lackluster performance in the sprint, the German relay team failed to impress once again in Antholz. Despite hopes for a potential third-place finish on Saturday, January 25, 2025, the DSV quartet ultimately landed in seventh place, finishing over three minutes behind the leaders. France continued its dominant streak, capturing victory in every relay race this season.

Challenges for German Biathlon Men

The current form of the German men’s biathlon team stands in stark contrast to their female counterparts, who have been consistently podium contenders, thanks to standout performances by athletes like Franziska Preuß. The men’s sprint in Antholz on Friday highlighted the challenges they face. With Justus Strelow finishing 49th, Philipp Horn as the best German in 11th, Johannes Kühn in 40th, and anchor David Zobel at 53rd, expectations for another podium finish were understandably low following their previous third-place achievement in Ruhpolding.

Sports director Felix Bitterling addressed the situation in a ZDF interview, stating, “The girls are performing exceptionally well, which amplifies the contrast.” He added, “However, it wasn’t all bad. We know the boys can perform significantly better, and I’m confident we’ll see an improvement soon.”

After the men’s relay, Johannes Kühn shared insights about his shooting performance and expressed concerns about equipment issues. Strelow, who started strong but struggled on the track, expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “That’s not what I envision. I need to keep up better; the expectations may not be high, but such a race still stings.”

Horn also faced difficulties, needing three reloads during the race. He reflected, “Mentality is crucial in shooting. I didn’t manage to find my rhythm, especially in the prone position, which cost us valuable time.” Despite these setbacks, Kühn’s outstanding performance gave the team a glimmer of hope for a podium finish.

As the anchor runner, Zobel faced immense pressure, starting in fifth place but ultimately unable to maintain pace due to three reloads in prone shooting and a missed target that forced him into the penalty loop. Bitterling expressed concern, noting Zobel is “currently far from what he can do.” In the end, Germany finished seventh, trailing France by 3:12.5 minutes, as Norway secured second place with Sweden closely behind. The biathlon calendar remains packed with upcoming events, promising more opportunities for redemption.

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