Biathlon: Puff has the Best Chances for the Last World Championship Ticket

Biathlon: Puff has the Best Chances for the Last World Championship Ticket

As the Biathlon World Championships kick off on February 12, 2025, one spot on the German team still remains available. Johanna Puff has made a strong case for herself at the European Championships with three top placements. She secured a gold medal in the individual, finished seventh in the sprint, and placed in the top ten in the pursuit event at Martell, South Tyrol, coming in ninth overall. This performance has established her as the best DSV skier from Ruhpolding, giving her excellent cards in the battle for the final ticket.

The German Ski Federation had indicated that selection would not be based solely on overall results but would also take into account skiing performance. Puff’s ability to combine flawless shooting with competitive skiing was evident when she achieved 20 perfect shots during the pursuit. Although she was 48 seconds slower on the track compared to Latvian frontrunner Baiba Bendika, who missed three targets, her overall package was impressive.

The performance contrast with her teammates was stark. Sophie Scherer, after incurring a penalty round, finished 20th, and Anna Weidel had to circle twice, ultimately coming in 23rd with a delay of over two minutes relative to the winner. In the relay, the German women’s team – featuring Scherer, Weidel, Marlene Fichter, and Puff – clinched the European Championship gold by beating France by 22.3 seconds, largely thanks to a near-perfect shooting performance that saw them use only nine reloads compared to France’s eleven.

Adding to the stakes, Vanessa Voigt had to withdraw from the season due to illness following several medical evaluations, leaving the open spot all the more significant for Puff.