German female biathletes third in relay in Oberhof

The German biathletes have secured their second relay podium finish of the Olympic winter at their home World Cup in Oberhof. Selina Grotian, Julia Tannheimer, Janina Hettich-Walz and Franziska Preuß finished third in the superior victory of world champion France. In the decisive last shooting, Preuß lost out to the flawless Norwegian Maren Kirkeeide in a direct duel with three reloads. The Scandinavians thus snatched second place.

After a penalty from Grotian and a total of 13 reloads, the protégés of national coach Kristian Mehringer ended up 1:28.4 minutes behind the Olympic favorites from France. Norway was 53.7 seconds behind. It was the second relay podium of the season for the German women after third place in Hochfilzen.

Lag at the start of the race

Four weeks before the start of the Winter Games in Italy, Grotian put her team behind with a penalty in standing shooting. "Even on the run-up I thought to myself, oh this could be difficult, unfortunately my hands were two blocks of ice," said Grotian on ARD. She had no real feeling in her hands. "I felt like I hit them all, but unfortunately none of them fell over."

Grotian had already shot two penalty rounds at the season opener in Östersund at the end of November when she finished eleventh. It has been a difficult season for the 21-year-old so far. She missed the two World Cups in Hochfilzen and Le Grand-Bornand due to a coronavirus infection. So far, she has only completed four races and has to worry about qualifying for the Olympics.

Catch-up race by Hettich-Walz

Grotian handed over to Tannheimer in tenth place (+37.5 seconds). The 20-year-old just avoided the next penalty loop in the prone. Standing she needed two reloads. Hettich-Walz started the race in fifth place, 1:16.5 minutes behind the leader. And the 29-year-old delivered, bringing her team up to second place.

Preuß loses out and is still happy

World Cup overall winner Preuß started the final section almost at the same time as Kirkeeide. And Germany's athlete of the year initially impressed with a very fast prone shooting. However, Kirkeide made up the seven-second deficit by the final shooting stage and pulled away from Preuß at the shooting range: while the Norwegian only needed 20.6 seconds, it took Preuß 50.3 seconds. Nevertheless, she cheered with her teammates at the finish.

The World Cup ends on Sunday with the men's relay (11.00 am/ARD and Eurosport) and the women's pursuit (2.30 pm).