The two-time biathlon world champion Erik Lesser is critical of the establishment of the single-mixed relay in the World Cup, whereas he considers the classic over 20 km, which is rather unpopular among athletes, to be untouchable.
“The individual is a core competition in our sport. You always talk about it being out of date, but you shouldn’t give it up. I’d be wrong,”said the 29-year-old to tz.
The singles are the first individual races at this season’s World Cup in Östersund/Sweden, the men are going to the cross-country ski run on Thursday. The Olympic winter was already opened on Sunday – with the (still) non-Olympic single-mixed relay team.
“Whether it makes sense to establish this form in the World Cup is something to think about. It devalues other races”, said Lesser, who on Sunday together with Vanessa Hinz (Schliersee) had finished second in the said race. In addition to singles and single-mixed relay teams, the biathletes compete in the World Cup in the mixed relay, the sprint (saturday from 2.45 pm in the LIVETICKER), the pursuit, the mass start and the relay.