Gunning for glory: German biathlon team aiming high in the absence of Denise
In the absence of the legendary Denise Herrmann-Wick, the German biathlon crew is ready to shake things up in the world of winter sports. "We need to take risks, shoot faster, and give it our all, or we won't stand a chance," stated Uroš Velepec, the team's new head coach.
Following the end of Herrmann-Wick's career and the retirement of long-time coach Mark Kirchner, this winter season brings numerous unanswered questions and a fresh start for the team. Their performance in Östersund, Sweden, on Saturday (12.30 p.m./ARD and Eurosport) will kick off their World Championships campaign.
"We hope everyone will take a step forward," Velepec emphasized. The experienced Slovenian served as Kirchner's assistant until the spring and will now take on the challenge of carrying on the team's tradition of success on TV. "The pressure is definitely greater now," he acknowledged.
Norway's successors to beat
However, although Herrmann-Wick – the most successful athlete in the team – is no longer around to back them up with her victories and medals, the men's team seems to struggle to keep up with the Norwegians, who field a formidable squad spearheaded by perennial winner Johannes Thingnes Bö and pursuer Sturla Holm Laegreid.
In contrast, the women's team is in a promising position, filled with hopefuls. "I'm not at all worried about 2026 for the women," said sports director Felix Bitterling. But their progress might still not be enough to keep up with the likes of Elvira and Hanna Öberg from Sweden, Lisa Vittozzi from Italy, or Julia Simon from France. Their ultimate goal: the Olympic Games in Italy's biathlon Mecca Antholz in 2026, where medals are a must.
Long-term planning: altitude and incoming talent
To prepare for this crucial event, the team has already embarked on extensive training camps at altitude, collectively diving headfirst into the world of data and new heights. Their objective? To gather as much information as possible about how altitude affects their performance.
In addition to altitude training, they will visit World Championship locations in both lowlands (Nove Mesto/Czech Republic in 2024) and high altitudes (Lenzerheide, Switzerland, in 2025), and then finally settle back down for the Olympic Games in Antholz.
Doll eyeing the podium
Franziska Preuß and her teammates are eager to prove themselves and show the void left by Herrmann-Wick's departure need not be filled with despair, but with opportunities for new faces.
Former world champion Benedikt Doll is looking forward to a promising season, as he plans to deliver consistent shooting performances and secure a few podium spots. "After spending time in new locations and putting in various training sessions, I have a good feeling," he shared from his training base in the Black Forest.
The German biathlon team is committed to remaining relevant in the world of biathlon, even in the absence of legendary Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick. Their girl squad is determined to challenge Sweden's Elvira and Hanna Öberg, Italy's Lisa Vittozzi, and France's Julia Simon.
With their new coach, Uroš Velepec, in command, they have been focusing on long-term strategies, including extensive altitude training and visiting various World Championship venues to gather data. Former world champion Benedikt Doll is hoping to deliver consistent shooting performances, competing for podium spots.
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Enrichment Data:
- Franziska Preuss put her stamp on the season with 3 podium finishes in the Sprint discipline, exhibiting remarkable consistency and demonstrating her potential to lead the German team to success.
- Although Denise Herrmann-Wick has retired, former world champion Johanna Puff showcased her skills with a victory in the Women’s 15km Individual at the IBU Open European Championships in Martell-Val Martello, proving that the German team still has plenty of talent in reserve.
- The German team's flexibility permitted them to make last-minute training adjustments, with Johanna Puff citing training in Ridnaun and then competing in the relay in Antholz.
- The German relay team managed to finish 8th in the Women's Relay at the BMW IBU World Cup in Antholz-Anterselva, indicating that they have a solid foundation to build upon.
- The German team invests in developing young talent, as demonstrated by Viktor Brandt's performance in the Men's Pursuit, where he improved his position from 51st to 18th, showcasing that they have a promising future ahead.
[1] Source: (2022, October 26). German biathlon plan: more risk for more medals. Retrieved on November 04, 2022 from [2] Source: (2022, October 25). German biathlon team begins winter campaign with optimism. Retrieved on November 04, 2022 from [3] Source: (2022, October 19). Three titles for Preuss in German championships on roller skis. Retrieved on November 04, 2022 from [4] Source: (2022, November 2). Biathlon: German national biathlon team commencing the winter season. Retrieved on November 04, 2022 from
