Biathlon World Championships: German Biathletes Report Themselves Fit

Ahead of the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide, German biathletes are reporting a strong return to training and competition form. In the last pre-championship World Cup, a few of the German starters had to pause due to exhaustion and infections. Now, with one notable exception, the team is regaining its strength as they prepare for the upcoming mixed relay event scheduled for 14:30 local time, which will be updated in the live ticker.

According to Felix Bitterling, Sport Director at the German Ski Association, the current training status of the athletes is very promising. He highlighted that 19-year-old Julia Tannheimer, who had missed the general rehearsal in Antholz due to illness, is showing signs of recovery, while 25-year-old Danilo Riethmüller is impressing with his readiness for competition. Decisions regarding the final team selection for the four-member relay are still pending.

Another candidate, Philipp Nawrath, had to contend with a mild cold after the Antholz World Cup but appears to have recovered. Bitterling noted that it remains to be seen whether he will immediately return to full performance or need a race or two to regain his peak form. Meanwhile, medal favorite Franziska Preuß, who leads the overall World Cup, has been in excellent shape. The 30-year-old expressed satisfaction with her training, emphasizing that she has worked on some finishing details, enjoyed some downtime in the sun, and is very much looking forward to the championships.

The article underscores the reduction in personnel concerns for the team as the championship approaches, marking an encouraging turnaround just before the high-stakes competition in Switzerland.

For more detailed schedules, results, and live updates, readers are invited to consult the Sportschau Biathlon Calendar and live streams available on the website.