The German women's biathlon relay team celebrated a historic triumph at the Hochfilzen World Cup, winning their first relay race since January 2021. The victory was marked by outstanding performances from Vanessa Voigt, Julia Tannheimer, Selina Grotian, and Franziska Preuß, who came together to showcase their skill and determination against top competitors.
On December 15, 2024, the 4x6-kilometer relay saw the German team finish 1:05.7 minutes clear of the second-placed French team, which included their own rising star Lou Jeanmonnot, and 1:31.8 minutes ahead of Sweden. Preuß, who has been leading the Women's World Cup standings, was the standout athlete of the day, delivering a remarkable performance to secure the win.
The day had started with Voigt as the lead-off runner. Despite needing to reload her weapon once during the standing shooting portion, she managed to keep the team competitive, exchanging as the fourth runner, just 19.1 seconds behind the frontrunner from France, Julia Simon. "I’m taking my lightness from the last races with me. This confirmed it. I’m just enjoying biathlon right now," Voigt noted after the race.
Next up was the 19-year-old Tannheimer, who displayed impressive fortitude. She also needed to reload once but managed to maintain pace with the lead group, culminating her effort with savvy racing. "That was one of my best races so far," Tannheimer said, reflecting on her performance.
Grotian took over from Tannheimer and put forth her solid skills. Although she had to use two additional rounds during the lay-down shooting stage, her quick recovery allowed her to make up valuable time, setting Preuß up with a slight advantage. By the time Grotian handed over to Preuß, Germany was firmly positioned for victory, trailing only by 6.9 seconds behind France.
Taking the baton for the final leg, Preuß displayed immense skill, racing through her stages with exceptional precision. Excited German fans cheered her on, especially as she shot with confidence, hitting all her targets during the lying down segment. Meanwhile, Jeanmonnot struggled with nerves and fell behind after needing to reload multiple times.
With the finish line approaching, Preuß showcased her renowned speed and strength, pulling away significantly from the competition. By the time she crossed the finish line, the excitement was palpable, marking the end of what had been almost four years since the Germans last enjoyed such triumph. "All three girls before me did such a great job; I really didn’t want to let them down. It was just so cool to run this final lap," said Preuß, beaming with pride.
This successful day at Hochfilzen seems to signal the resurgence of German women's biathlon on the international stage, with the team set to take on the upcoming competitions with renewed confidence. The next event for the German ladies is set for Friday, with Preuß expected to continue racing strong as she wears the overall leader's yellow bib.
Reflecting on the race, the German team has demonstrated incredible teamwork and resilience, proving they are again contenders for the top of the podium. The Hochfilzen experience not only cements their status as leading athletes but also sets the stage for future competitions, filled with confidence and hope.
