At the World Cup event held in Hochfilzen, Austria, the German women’s biathlon relay team celebrated a milestone victory, marking their first win since January 2021. The team comprised Vanessa Voigt, Julia Tannheimer, Selina Grotian, and Franziska Preuß, who collectively excelled against formidable competitors, primarily France and Sweden.
On Sunday, the relay team claimed the top podium spot with impressive execution over the 4x6 km course. Despite challenging weather conditions, this victory signified not just success on the podium but also represented the culmination of hard work and perseverance. For the first time in over three years, the German women stood alongside the victors, celebrating victory with their fans.
The race commenced with Voigt taking the lead, maintaining solid form through her stint, and passing the baton to Tannheimer. Voigt's performance placed Germany within the frontrunners of the race, confirming her as a key player. “I kept us competitive with just one extra round,” Voigt said, reflecting on her effort.
At just 19 years old, Julia Tannheimer became the spotlight of the event. Despite only one missed target during her shooting round, Tannheimer showcased remarkable skill and speed, pushing through to almost overtake the lead, enabling her to hand off to Grotian with the team still firmly positioned at the top. “I felt strong today, and it was so cool to run with the team,” Tannheimer shared post-race. Her fierce spirit and confidence were obvious, and her performance certainly set the tone for the win.
Selina Grotian faced her share of challenges but held her ground during her leg, only needing two extra rounds. Nevertheless, it was final runner Franziska Preuß who truly cemented the victory. Taking off with only five seconds behind France's Lou Jeanmonnot, Preuß remained calm and collected, managing to take the lead and maintaining it steadily throughout her stretch.
“The other three girls did great jobs, and I didn't want to mess it up,” Preuß reflected after the race. Her sentiment echoed the entire team’s camaraderie and recognition of each member’s effort, emphasizing team unity as key to their success. Preuß’s flawless shooting culminated the team’s performance, delivering Germany the first place with over a minute lead.
Germany concluded the day with just four additional rounds used during shooting, compared to France’s staggering 13 rounds and one penalty lap, proving the significance of marksmanship along with stamina. Following their victory, Preuß beamed, mentioning, “This victory will be something we never forget.” The triumph marks Tannheimer's initial World Cup win, solidifying her place as one of the sport's promising young athletes.
Bringing the event full circle, France’s contingent, which included competitors Julia Simon, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Sophie Chauveau, and Lou Jeanmonnot, had to settle for second place after struggling with errors on the range. Sweden wrapped up the podium placements, securing third with only slight errors, underscoring the dominance shown by Germany.
While the men’s relay team faced hurdles, finishing fifth with 13 additional rounds and one penalty, the success of the women was enough to inspire hope and enthusiasm for future competitions. “Today was all about the women,” stated team coach after the race, hinting at forthcoming challenges and opportunities for both men and women. Meanwhile, the women’s team now looks forward to the next World Cup sprint scheduled for Friday, where they will continue their bid for excellence and performance under pressure.
With the current victory under their belts, the German women’s relay team is preparing for their upcoming competitions, fueled by this unexpected yet well-deserved recognition and glory. Having been absent from the victory lane for 1429 days, their dedication has revitalized their standing on both national and international stages as they pursue their ambitions for the future.
