Biathlon - DSV "Küken" Learn Tough Lessons in Relay Drama

Biathlon - DSV 'Küken' Learn Tough Lessons in Relay Drama

The inexperienced and young German women's relay team had no chance for a top placement at the Biathlon World Cup in Kontiolahti. The victory was secured by Sweden in a dramatic finale.

Johanna Puff (22), Julia Tannheimer (19), and Julia Kink (20) bring a lot of talent; however, all three young biathletes still have a way to go to reach the world's top level. This became evident on Sunday (December 1) in the first women's relay of the World Cup season. Together with Vanessa Voigt (27), the DSV quartet finished the 4x6 kilometer race in seventh place (+2:51.2 minutes), after having to take one penalty lap and using eleven additional reloads.

"Looking at the three very young runners, we did indeed see some positives that leave us hopeful for the future. The competition at the top is tough, but with consistent work, all three will surely make it there," commented DSV sports director Felix Bitterling.

Preuß Forced to Withdraw Due to Illness

Nearly ten years ago, a similarly young DSV relay team won gold at the Biathlon World Championships. In March 2015, Franziska Hildebrand, Vanessa Hinz, Laura Dahlmeier, and Franziska Preuß achieved a surprising victory. Preuß, who was 21 at the time, has now become the senior member of the team at age 30. Unfortunately, she had to withdraw just before the relay start due to health issues, which the DSV described as "minor signs of infection." Voigt stepped in for Preuß but didn't have her best day either.

Drama for France's Simon – Sweden Wins

Sweden (Anna Magnusson, Sara Andersson, Hanna Öberg, Elvira Öberg) won with France finishing second (+29 seconds) and Norway in third place (+36.2s). The final leg featured dramatic moments during the last shooting and the final meters.

The relay seemed almost boring due to France's significant lead, but it took a wild turn when anchor runner Julia Simon had to take a penalty lap. Swedish runner Elvira Öberg seized the moment and stepped onto the track just 0.4 seconds ahead of Simon. However, there was no finish line sprint as Simon suffered a calf cramp a kilometer from the finish, dragging herself to the line in considerable pain, just managing to hold off Norway for second place.

Puff Struggles on the Course

With a top finish never in their sights, things started badly for the DSV. Starting runner Puff began with a reload, but it had little consequence at that point. Keeping a solid shooting record, Puff fired off six shots in just 32 seconds, putting only twelve seconds between herself and the leaders. On the track, however, she lost significant time and returned Tannheimer to the race in tenth place, 41 seconds behind the leaders. "I got a bit flustered in the first round; it was faster than yesterday. I’m satisfied with my shooting," Puff said, admitting she felt "nervous and excited."

Tannheimer Learns Tough Lessons in Shooting

Tannheimer, aged just 19, likely experienced heightened nerves shortly before her start. Her junior performances had drawn attention for their top results, but in this elite assembly, nerves got the better of her shooting. She battled through her shooting round with three reloads, preventing an additional lap but losing a lot of time and returning to the exchange zone only a minute after the leaders.

Kink Avoids Penalty Lap

Kink went into her leg in ninth place (+1:17 minutes). Although she is 20, she appeared composed during her shooting testage and shot all targets with her first attempt. However, she couldn't close the gap due to strong competition and ended her leg with three reloads, maintaining the ninth position, but over a minute behind third place.

Voigt Has to Take a Penalty Lap

With nearly two minutes backward, Voigt began her run in eighth place. She had previously secured a podium in the mixed relay, but the current competition proved too stiff for her to secure a top three. Voigt started strong with five hits but fell to the penalty lap at her last shooting, barely finishing three minutes after Sweden. Voigt lamented, "As you can see, this was not the best preparation for me."