Birgit Schölzhorn triumphed in the junior women’s category.

The new Italian champions in summer biathlon

The Italian summer biathlon champions were determined last weekend in Forni Avoltri in the province of Udine (Friuli-Venezia Giulia).

September 04, 2024

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In the sprints, the exceptional talents Lisa Vittozzi and Lukas Hofer stood out in the seniors' category, while three other South Tyroleans, Birgit Schölzhorn (Juniores), Hannes Bacher (Giovani) and Andreas Braunhofer (Aspiranti), were crowned Italian champions. In the pursuit, two South Tyroleans, Schölzhorn and Christoph Pircher, triumphed in the juniors' category.

It all started on Saturday, August 31st with the sprints in the Carnia Arena in Forni Avoltri. In the Aspiranti, the competition class for those born in 2008 and 2009, a South Tyrolean, Andreas Braunhofer, was crowned Italian champion. The Ridnauner, who runs for the Carabinieri sports group, needed 21.25,4 minutes for the 7,5 kilometers and missed one shot, one less than Jan Steinkaserer from ASD Antholz, who came second. In fourth to sixth place were three other South Tyroleans: Jonas Tscholl (CS Carabinieri), Rafael Santer (SC Ulten) and René Tirler (SC Gröden). In the Aspiranti women's category, Teresa Seeber (ASD Antholz) achieved the best South Tyrolean result with seventh place.

Andreas Braunhofer triumphed among the Aspiranti.

A South Tyrolean also celebrated in the Giovani class (born in 2006 and 2007). Hannes Bacher (CS Carabinieri) crossed the finish line after 21.13,5 minutes and became Italian champion, despite missing four of his ten shots. In the juniors (born in 2003, 2004 and 2005), Christoph Pircher's two mistakes cost him dearly. He ended up two seconds behind the Italian champion and his team-mate from the Fiamme Oro, Nicolò Betemps, who made no mistakes. Birgit Schölzhorn (CS Esercito) did better in the women's category, becoming the Italian summer champion despite having four "tickets". Two South Tyroleans, Sophia Zardini and Denise Planker, followed in fourth and fifth place.

All eyes were then on the general age group, where the Italian biathlon elite competed. In the women's category, superstar Lisa Vittozzi made short work of the competition and finished more than two minutes ahead of second-placed Martina Trabucchi. Rebecca Passler (CS Carabinieri) from Antholz made it onto the podium in third place. In the men's category, there was a South Tyrolean winner, Lukas Hofer: the Montaler from CS Carabnieri was crowned Italian summer biathlon champion ahead of Nicola Romanin and Tommaso Giacomel.

Two more South Tyrolean victories in the pursuit

On Sunday, September 1st, the pursuit was on the agenda. In the Aspiranti, Andreas Braunhofer was beaten by Jacopo Piasco this time and had to settle for silver, while Julian Huber (CS Carabinier) came in third. In the Giovani, Hannes Bacher was also beaten, Michel Deval was faster.

Rafael Santer (SC Ulten) at the Italian Championships.

There was a South Tyrolean double victory in the juniors: Birgit Schölzhorn also won the pursuit and went home with a double title, and Sophia Zardini from Bruneck also climbed onto the podium in the women's category (3rd place). Christoph Pircher triumphed in the men's category this time, making his missed shots from the day before forgotten. Last but not least, the seniors were on the track, with Lisa Vittozzi celebrating in the women's category ahead of Rebecca Passler and Samuela Comola, and Lukas Hofer came third in the men's category behind Tommaso Giacomel and Nicola Romanin.