Germany triumphs, tough day for Azzurre

The women's relay at the World Cup in Hochfilzen offered fans an emotional finale - with the better outcome for the German biathletes. For the Azzurre around Hannah Auchentaller, however, it was a tough day.

15 December 2024

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It was a showdown that you would normally only see in Hollywood. Final runner Franziska Preuß, number one in the overall World Cup, challenged Lou Jeanmonnot, her closest rival in the rankings, to a hot dance for victory in the last few kilometers of the relay. At the handover, only a few seconds separated the two, and the decision was made at the last shooting range - in favor of the German biathletes.

While Preuß shot faster than her shadow in the standing position and dropped all five targets, Jeanmonnot showed nerves and even had to go into the penalty loop again. A development that was not necessarily foreseeable in the early stages. At least the French women seemed untouchable thanks to the preparatory work of starting runner Julia Simon. However, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (four reloads) and Sophie Chauveau (two reloads) who followed opened the door for the DSV athletes.

The French women have let the victory slip away. © APA/afp / KERSTIN JOENSSON

Preuß, Vanessa Voigt, Selina Grotian and Julia Tannheimer thus achieved the first German relay victory since 2021 in Oberhof. France ultimately finished second, 1.05,7 minutes behind, while Sweden fought its way to third place and completed the podium (one penalty lap/+1.31,8).

Auchentaller and Co. in bad luck

The Azzurre, however, had nothing to do with the fight for the top spots. First runner Hannah Auchentaller had a tough day. The 23-year-old South Tyrolean had to reload four times and also received a penalty lap. Her teammates Samuela Comola, Martina Trabucchi and Michela Carrara put in a lot of effort afterwards, but they failed to make any progress. In the end, the azure blue runners finished in eleventh place (two penalty laps/+3.57,4).

Hannah Auchentaller and Co. had a tough day. © Pierre Teyssot

The men's relay (14.15x4km) is scheduled to take place in Hochfilzen at 7,5:XNUMX p.m. and will be the last race in the Tyrolean Alps. The race continues next week in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France.