World Cup in Lenzerheide
Altitude causes problems for biathletes: “Very energy-sapping”
Janina Hettich-Walz (l) in action. photo
© Gian Ehrenzeller/KEYSTONE/dpa
Before the Christmas break, the biathletes will be really challenged again, because Lenzerheide is at an altitude of more than 1,400 meters. German women in Switzerland are struggling.
The altitude of the competition location Lenzerheide is causing problems for the biathletes at the World Cup premiere in Switzerland.
“It’s very exhausting, but I tried not to think about it too much,” said Janina Hettich-Walz, who finished twelfth in the sprint victory of Justine Braisaz-Bouchet from France.
“I tried to tell myself that it was the same for everyone and everyone was a little bit knocked out.” But Hettich-Walz was still happy. Thanks to her second top 15 result this season, she broke the association’s internal World Cup standard.
Lenzerheide lies at almost 1500 meters above sea level. The athletes previously competed in Östersund at just over 300 meters and in Hochfilzen at just under 1000 meters.
“My body needs a break. I didn’t do well on the route,” said young talent Selina Grotian. She took 38th place in the sprint, but only ended up 54th on the running list. She was 2:31 minutes behind the fastest runner, Anamarija Lampic from Slovenia.
“The height separates the wheat from the chaff,” said sports director Felix Bitterling. “Selina was undervalued. We have to see that we can do a better job with regard to the persecution.” This is on the program on Saturday.