Germany Celebrates Dream Start at Biathlon World Championships with Mixed Relay Bronze
Lenzerheide, Switzerland (AP) – With bronze medals draped around their necks and a large German flag in their hands, the German biathlon team celebrated a dream start to the World Championships. The photoshoot in front of the breathtaking mountain panorama in Lenzerheide captured the sense of relief that swept over the team after ending a long medal drought in the mixed relay, the first of 12 events at the World Championships.
"We haven’t been on the podium in the mixed relay for a long time, so we all appreciate this very much," said 30-year-old Franziska Preuß, the team’s anchor leg.
With every ounce of strength left, Justus Strelow powered through the gripping mixed quartet race to secure third place. It was Germany’s first medal in the event in six years, prompting tears of joy from the team.
"The final lap really hurt. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone," said Strelow, who needed several minutes to recover.
Strelow, Preuß, Selina Grotian, and Philipp Nawrath ultimately had to concede to the Czech Republic, but that mattered little.
"We’ve already won the first medal, which is always good for the team. Medals are expected of us – and we delivered. Hopefully, we can collect a few more," said Strelow.
"The medal is worth a lot because so many teams are fighting for it," added Preuß.
The German strategy proved successful in the end. Typically not known for his speed on skis, Strelow surprisingly started as the anchor leg.
"I’ve never had such weak knees even during the warm-up. I was extremely nervous," said the 28-year-old.
In a thrilling finish, Strelow fended off Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Bö by just 2.7 seconds, while defending champions France took a commanding victory. After 4×6 kilometers, the German team finished 1:18.4 minutes behind the winners, with 11 penalty loops.
Vanessa Hinz, Denise Herrmann-Wick, Arnd Peiffer, and Benedikt Doll—none of whom are still active—were the last German team to win a mixed relay medal, taking silver in Östersund on March 7, 2019.
After Strelow’s final shooting, the Germans embraced in jubilation. However, it turned into a nail-biting finish when the Czech Republic surged ahead. Then, Norway and Sweden closed in.
"Incredible how Justus did that," said Nawrath, who narrowly avoided a penalty loop. It was the perfect early birthday present for the Bavarian, who turned 32 the following day.
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany’s football coach, may have been a lucky charm for the team. Along with football stars Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller, Nagelsmann sent a video message wishing the team good luck.
"My mother is a huge biathlon fan, and I watch it a lot too. I want her to be in a good mood. Go for it!" said Nagelsmann, a biathlon enthusiast.
The equipment also performed well in the warm temperatures and increasingly deep snow conditions. At the previous World Championships in Nove Mesto, non-competitive skis under similar conditions had been a major issue, resulting in a fifth-place finish in the mixed relay.
Before a crowd of 7,500 in the Roland Arena in the Canton of Graubünden at an altitude of over 4,600 feet, Grotian required four penalty loops. "I’ve had a headache all day. I’m so sorry for the team that I couldn’t do it clean," said the 20-year-old, who was nevertheless the fastest starting leg and ultimately celebrated her second World Championships medal.
She sent Preuß into the race 19.6 seconds behind France, who dominated the early stages. While France’s Lou Jeanmonnot extended their lead, Preuß needed two penalty loops. The gap grew to 55 seconds, but the German team remained in medal contention.
"It was extremely tough today. It wasn’t quite perfect," said Preuß, who enters all individual races as a favorite and will compete for gold in the sprint on Friday.
Nawrath faltered during the standing shooting. "Thank goodness I avoided the penalty loop. That was absolutely the most important thing," he said.
The battle for silver and bronze came down to a thrilling three-way shootout between Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Strelow pushed himself to the limit and was rewarded with a medal for his team.
