The incredible odyssey of Dominik Windisch

He would have liked to fly with us on November 24th. Instead, Dominik Windisch could only watch from Malpensa Airport in Milan as the Italian biathlon team took to the air to later compete in their first competitions in Kontiolahti (Finland). Dominik had to go home with all his luggage without having accomplished anything. There he sat idle and quite frustrated in front of the television on the lawn as his teammates fought for their first World Cup points. In the meantime, he had two strikeouts (which occur per season) and no longer really understood the world. By car, plane and train across Europe He was told that his corona test in Milan before departure was positive. So travel stop. Instead of plowing through the deep snow in Bear Bay, he plowed across the highway. One can imagine the internal battles he fought because he was not aware of any guilt. Even worse. There was a growing suspicion that his test had been mixed up because his form said November 23rd. An incorrect date because the test was carried out on the 24th. This couldn't be clarified quickly, which is why the sword of Damocles of a positive test came down on him with all its might. But Windisch, highly decorated with Olympic and World Cup medals, took up the fight against the unknown opponent. Like on the cross-country ski trail, like at the shooting range. He even underwent a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2, which shows a high clinical sensitivity of almost one hundred percent. “It turns out I was never positive,” he says, without raising his voice. That's not his style. He accepted the unfortunate circumstances resignedly and is now probably one of the most frequently tested biathletes. And he made a new attempt. From Rasen through the Pustertal to the Brixen motorway exit southwards we went along Lake Garda to the airport hotel in Milan last Monday. The night there was, of course, short. The odyssey began at 4.00 a.m. with the shuttle to the airport and a dozen pieces of luggage. “I had to fill out five forms, it was chaos,” he reports. But at least. He was then on the plane in time. But not yet to Joensuu, his final destination in Finland. He flew over Amsterdam, where there was of course no time for a trip to the canals because the plane to Helsinki was already waiting. Helsinki, at least Finland. He was actually on his way to the Biathletes World Cup. From the airport there we had to take the train three stops to Tikkurila train station with our bags and luggage. A good haul. And then it was finally written: Joensuu. Like an enlightenment. However, the small town near the biathlon center is not right around the corner. The express train takes four and a half hours to travel the 430 kilometers at breakneck speed. So anyone who believes that a world champion leads a comfortable life of luxury and is carried from World Cup to World Cup in a sedan chair is terribly mistaken. “I’m looking forward to the races” Dominik Windisch The journeys are tiring. Always. Luckily, Dominik wasn't traveling alone. Thomas Bormolini was his travel companion, so coach Andreas Zingerle can now rely on five athletes. But before that really happens, the day before the race - you guessed it - there was another test early in the morning before Dominik was finally able to take a few skating steps out of isolation for the first time in many days. Down to Lake Höytiäinen, up the wall, that defining climb that takes even the world class breath away. Everything without a gun at first. Rushing would be inappropriate now. Dominik Windisch has experienced how easily and, above all, through no fault of his own, one can get into difficult situations. “I’m looking forward to the races,” was his last message from North Karelia. And under these circumstances, of course, no huge declaration of war can follow. Windisch now has to find his rhythm on the cross-country ski trail and at the shooting range. So far, corona tests have primarily characterized the season. At least the departure should be more comfortable. The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has organized a charter flight from Joensuu to Salzburg. And fortunately Dominik's car is not in Milan. The Italian association had the foresight to organize a bus for him.

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The incredible odyssey of Dominik Windisch

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