Biathlon: World Cup kick-off in Kontiolahti without Roman Rees

Biathlon: World Cup kick-off in Kontiolahti without Roman Rees

The German Ski Association (DSV) announced on November 20, 2024, the list of nominees for the opening Biathlon races in Kontiolahti (Finland), ten days before the start of the World Cup. Leading the women's team are Franziska Preuß and Vanessa Voigt.

Preuß and Voigt have been confirmed after the previous season. The six-member squad also includes Johanna Puff (22), Selina Grotian (20), Julia Tannheimer (19), and Julia Kink (20). Puff was chosen for her qualification win in Vuokatti, while Grotian, Tannheimer, and Kink were selected by the coaching staff.

DSV sports director Felix Bitterling justified the selection, stating, "All three have shown very good performances and made significant progress. We had fair qualification races, and it was a good test; we are satisfied."

Kebinger and Schneider start in the IBU Cup

Hanna Kebinger and Sophia Schneider have surprisingly not made the German World Cup team compared to the previous season. Instead, they will initially compete in the second-tier IBU Cup to regain confidence before rejoining the World Cup circuit.

Janina Hettich-Walz, who won a silver medal in individual competition at the last World Championships, will miss the races due to pregnancy.

Tough coaching decision for the men

Among the men, Johannes Kühn, Justus Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, and Philipp Horn are set based on their performances last season. Joining them are David Zobel, the qualifier winner in Vuokatti, and Danilo Riethmüller (trainer decision).

"Horn was set after demonstrating strong running skills in the qualifiers," emphasized Bitterling. He also praised Riethmüller’s notable improvements, but acknowledged the tight competition for selections, which included Lucas Fratzscher and Simon Kaiser, both of whom performed admirably.

Rees "not really fit"

A significant absence is that of Roman Rees, who was once in the yellow jersey early last season after his first World Cup win. He will begin in the IBU Cup instead after enduring health setbacks following a COVID infection.

Although he trained reasonably well over the summer, Bitterling mentioned that Rees fell ill again before the training camp in Vuokatti. "He hasn't been able to train much and is not really in shape," commented the DSV sports director. Nevertheless, Rees is taking the situation professionally and focusing on the IBU Cup to recover his confidence.

Double World Cup in Kontiolahti

The new World Cup season for biathletes kicks off on November 30 with the mixed and single mixed relays. From November 30 to December 8, ten decisions will take place in Kontiolahti, culminating in the mass start races. Following this, the World Cup will proceed to Hochfilzen in Austria. The highlight of the season will be the World Championships in February in Lenzerheide (Switzerland).