World Cup in Östersund
Lucky biathletes: double success and yellow jersey for Rees
Biathlete Roman Rees wins the World Cup in Östersund. photo
© Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency/AP/dpa
Double success for Rees and Strelow, two podium places for Preuß and Voigt: The German biathletes are starting the new season more successfully than they have for a long time.
Above all, Rees’ first World Cup success in the individual over 20 kilometers ahead of his equally outstanding teammate Justus Strelow, which meant the first double success for German ski hunters in more than six and a half years, outshone everything. “Incredible. I still can’t believe it. It was certainly a surprise for me and others too. It feels really good,” said Rees, before he jumped onto the winner’s podium as the team celebrated him with a beaming smile.
Thanks to the technicians
Next Saturday, the 30-year-old will now wear the yellow bib of the overall World Cup leader in the sprint – the last German to do so was three-time Olympic champion Michael Greis on December 6, 2008. Rees made a mistake, but thanks to great material he came out ahead of Strelow by 12.1 seconds after 20 kilometers. Simon Schempp and Erik Lesser celebrated their last German double success on January 20, 2017 at the mass start in Oberhof. “I didn’t expect that. I was sure that the Norwegians would still come,” said the 26-year-old Strelow after the first World Cup podium of his career. He said to the technicians: “Thanks for the skis.”
Because the Norwegians, who were ahead of the competition in the last test races because of their great material with the new fluorine-free wax, had nothing to report this time. “I take my hat off,” said third-placed Johannes Thingnes Bö (2 errors/+25 seconds) on ARD. The overall World Cup winner from Norway, who won 19 races in the previous season including the World Cup, was unable to counterattack as usual on the final lap.
Motivation boost for DSV women’s team
Preuß, who was repeatedly plagued by health problems, also experienced an extraordinary moment of happiness: in her comeback over the 15 kilometers, she missed victory against the Italian Lisa Vittozzi by just a tiny 0.1 seconds. “It’s a shame, I’ve never been this close to the yellow jersey. But I’m not giving up, it’s just starting now and I’m just relieved,” said the 29-year-old. She had to cancel the previous season in January and also missed the home World Cup in Oberhof. After that came another medical marathon including thoughts of resignation – now she is back at the top of the world.
Preuß (0 errors), who was only promoted to the World Cup team by a coach’s decision, and Vanessa Voigt in third place (0 errors/+ 10.1 seconds) and Sophia Schneider in fifth place (1 error/+ 1:01.0 minutes) took care of that Resignation of Denise Herrmann-Wick (34) for the hoped-for boost in motivation in the DSV women’s team. Because the Olympic champion and world champion had secured all the individual podium places in the previous season. “It was a great race and, above all, outstanding shooting. I’m very happy about that. Keep it up,” said Herrmann-Wick (34) to the dpa.
For Preuß in particular, it could finally be the starting signal for a better time. In the past, the Bavarian, who was once considered as talented as Laura Dahlmeier – the last German in yellow in March 2017 – had to worry more about her health than her career. Such a performance was unthinkable two weeks ago during the test races in Sjusjoen, Norway. There was Preuß, who had previously had to deal with a cold, far away from the competition. “The last few weeks haven’t been so easy. So I’m super proud of myself. I hope it continues like this,” said Preuß.