Without their top runners Laura Dahlmeier and Franziska Hildebrand, the German biathletes missed their next victory at the World Cup in Oberhof. The DSV formation in the line-up Vanessa Hinz (Schliersee/one penalty round), Denise Herrmann (Oberwiesenthal/two reloaders), Franziska Preuß (Haag/0) and Maren Hammerschmidt (Winterberg/one penalty round) took second place behind France. The Swedish quartet secured third place.
“Of course, I’m not satisfied with the penalty round. All this was a bit like jumping into the cold water,”said Hammerschmidt, who had a chance of winning until the last shootout and started as a final runner for the first time on ARD. After 4×6 km, Germany was 32.4 seconds behind the French women, who only had to make a penalty lap. A German squadron had been defeated for the last time on 11. Since then, the reigning world champion has won six races in series.
The first season of the Olympic season in Hochfilzen also belonged to it, but at that time Germany was still in top form. The seven-time World Champion Dahlmeier (13th/7th) and Hildebrand (4th/11th), who had delivered the best results for the DSV in sprint and pursuit, were spared on Sunday. Dahlmeier had already caught two infections this season, and Hildebrand suffered a persistent foot injury this summer.
The race in the Thuringian Forest on Sunday began very unfavourably in the absence of the two regulars. In conditions that were by no means ideal, but according to national coach Gerald Hönig “absolutely controllable”, Hinz revealed surprising weaknesses. She needed three reloaders in the first attack, followed by a standing penalty round.
With a courageous performance, however, Herrmann brought the German quartet back to the podium ranks,”I have seen that only a full attack helps,”said Herrmann. This motto was probably also taken to heart by Preuß, who did not need a single reloader and led the hosts to the top.
Already on Thursday (14.20 hrs/ARD and Eurosport) the next race for the women at the second home world cup in Ruhpolding is coming up. Individual, relay and mass start will be held there.