German Biathlon Team Reels from Poor Shooting Performances
After a disastrous start to the World Championships, the German biathlon team finds itself in a crisis situation, primarily due to abysmal shooting performances. While Franziska Preuß has emerged as a shining star with three medals in three races, the men’s team has failed to deliver, leaving them as mere spectators to the record-breaking exploits of Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Bö.
A Dismal First Week for the Men
Danilo Riethmüller summed up his pursuit race with a blunt assessment: "From start to finish, it was shit." The 25-year-old missed eight shots, finishing 50th out of 60 in his first World Championship race. Philipp Nawrath’s seven misses resulted in a 44th place finish.
"This is unacceptable, and the guys know it," said sports director Felix Bitterling. Nawrath, who has been struggling with health issues, will sit out the individual race and be replaced by David Zobel.
The team has attempted to lift each other’s spirits following these setbacks. "But in the end, these are my own mistakes and my own stupidity," said Riethmüller. "They can say whatever they want, but you still end up blaming yourself."
Bö’s Dominance Casts a Long Shadow
The Norwegian superstar has dominated the headlines, winning his 21st and 22nd World Championship titles to become the all-time record holder, surpassing Ole Einar Björndalen. The gap between Bö and the German men has been vast.
"You can hear over the loudspeaker what’s going on and where Johannes Bö and the leaders are," said Nawrath. "But they’re out of sight."
Philipp Horn, who managed a 17th place finish in the pursuit, acknowledged the gulf in performance. "With a 17th place at a World Championship, you can’t be satisfied at all. It’s all about medals, everything else is irrelevant."
Preuß Brings Respite and Hope
Franziska Preuß’s success has brought a sense of calm to the team. "We’ll put Franzi and the men in a room, lock them in, and see if that helps," joked Bitterling. "Of course, that wouldn’t solve anything."
"The races will all start from scratch," added Bitterling, looking ahead to the second week of the World Championships.
The main medal hope for the men lies in the relay. "We need a different mindset on the shooting range, otherwise it’ll be tough," said Bitterling. "We’re definitely not giving up on the second week before it’s even started."
An Uphill Battle for Redemption
The individual event over 20 kilometers on Wednesday represents an opportunity for improvement. "So far, we can only draw a line under it and be glad that it worked out in the mixed relay," said Bitterling.
However, the men are facing the prospect of an even worse World Championship performance than last year, when only Benedikt Doll won bronze in the individual race and the relay team finished fourth. Arnd Peiffer claimed Germany’s last World Championship gold in 2019.
"We may not have the superstar right now who can win everything in the individual races, but we’re a very homogenous team," said Horn, who is placing his hopes on the relay on Saturday. "If we all perform to our potential, we have a chance to be up front."
Addressing the Shooting Woes
Improved shooting is paramount for the men. "The training performances are usually good, and they hit the targets," said men’s coach Jens Filbrich before the World Championships. "But when the race comes, the problem is between the ears."
Nawrath and his teammates have been overthinking in crucial situations, rather than executing their training. Preuß, on the other hand, managed to hit all 20 shots in her pursuit victory, demonstrating remarkable focus and composure.
The 30-year-old has another chance to win her fourth medal in Lenzerheide on Tuesday. She is once again among the favorites, having lightened the mood in the team with her impromptu haircutting session with the coaches.
"We’re not satisfied, we definitely want to attack in the second week and create as many highlights as possible," said Bitterling.
