Without numerous stars: Biathlete Rees runs into the top ten - Germany’s biathlon team secures Olympic spots after mixed test event results
Germany’s biathlon team concluded a mixed test event in Nové Město, preparing for the Olympics. While some athletes struggled with shooting accuracy, others secured strong finishes and Olympic spots. The competition also served as a final trial for those vying for a place in Milano/Cortina.
Roman Rees led the German effort with a seventh-place finish, marking the team’s best result in the opening event. Danilo Riethmüller followed closely, achieving his season-best performance in 11th and earning a spot in the mass start.
Simon Kaiser faced difficulties, missing nine targets, while Johannes Kühn dropped to 51st after five shooting errors. Leonhard Pfund, however, made a notable debut at the World Cup level, finishing 13th with only two shooting mistakes.
Eric Perrot of France claimed victory in the test event, reinforcing his status as an Olympic medal contender. Meanwhile, many top contenders skipped the competition, focusing instead on final preparations.
The German Olympic team now includes Lucas Fratzscher, Philipp Nawrath, Justus Strelow, David Zobel, and Philipp Horn. Horn, who recently recovered from illness, may still compete in the Czech Republic before the Games.
The test event highlighted both challenges and breakthroughs for the German squad. With Olympic nominations confirmed, the team now shifts focus to fine-tuning performance before Milano/Cortina. Several athletes, including debutants and seasoned competitors, will aim for stronger results in the coming weeks.
