Stefanie Scherer is making headlines as she returns to the Biathlon World Cup after nearly five years away from the competitive scene. The German biathlete, who has faced numerous challenges over the years, was nominated for the World Cup event at Ruhpolding, marking her second World Cup participation.
Scherer, at 28 years old, is set to replace Julia Kink, who has struggled with her performance recently. DSV Sports Director Felix Bitterling expressed his confidence, stating, "Selina Grotian, Sophia Schneider and Julia Tannheimer remain on the team, but we believe Scherer’s experiences will be pivotal for us at this event.” This change follows Kink's disappointing results, which led her to take a necessary break to recover and regroup.
The last time Scherer competed at the World Cup level was on March 13, 2020, during the early days of the pandemic. At the time, she finished 63rd and failed to qualify for the following pursuit race, which marked the beginning of a long drought of international races for her. “Covid destroyed my entire season,” she once reflected, illustrating her frustration.
It wasn’t easy for Scherer as she navigated struggles with injuries and training setbacks over the past few years. Following her initial nomination to the World Cup squad after impressive performances leading up to 2020, she fell out of the spotlight when her training plans went awry. "I was plagued by illnesses and injuries, and my performance just didn’t match my expectations," she admitted. She remained optimistic, finding herself competing within the Deutschlandpokal, the third tier of the biathlon league, for two seasons, claiming overall victories.
After fierce determination and several podium finishes at the IBU Cup level—where she clinched six wins—Scherer is finally back to where she belongs. Her consistent training under coach Andi Birnbacher at her home base of Ruhpolding played a pivotal role. Scherer expressed her excitement, noting, “I was extremely happy when the call came on Sunday evening about my start in Ruhpolding. It is such great honor and dream come true.”
Now, at the World Cup, all eyes will be on Scherer as she competes against the best, including her teammate Franziska Preuß, who is currently leading the overall World Cup rankings. "Our goal is to maintain the positive trend from Oberhof, with full fighting spirit," remarked Bitterling.
The upcoming individual race is set to take place on January 16, 2023, at 2:10 PM—providing Scherer with another chance to showcase her abilities on national soil. Though she approaches the race with excitement, there is also considerable pressure. "The anticipation is huge, and running home with all the fans watching is such a privilege," Scherer said, laughing as she mentioned utilizing earplugs during her practice to ward off distractions.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Scherer can translate her IBU performance successes to the World Cup stage, with all hopes pinned on her potential to qualify for subsequent events throughout the season. With her recent form and the support of her teammates, she stands poised for greater challenges if she performs well.
Stefanie Scherer's comeback could signal not only the resurgence of her career but also notable developments within the German women's biathlon squad as they continue to strive for excellence on the international stage. Scherer herself remains focused on the task at hand, stating, “I’m not thinking about future competitions yet; my entire focus is on performing well today.”