First German victory in Antholz: women win the relay

It was the first win of the season for the German women's relay team, which was enthusiastically celebrated by the numerous German fans in the “Südtirol Arena”, which was once again completely sold out. The DSV team only took victory in the second half of the race. After the third change, Nadine Horchler, who remained flawless at the shooting range, gained two places and took the lead, which final runner Andrea Henkel defended until the finish.

Olga Vilukhina managed to catch up with Henkel again, but then the 35-year-old pulled away and won in 1:13.02,1 hours, 17,4 seconds ahead of the Russians, who were second in Ruhpolding two weeks ago. France also climbed onto the podium, the safest team at the shooting range today. The French only had to reload four times and crossed the finish line 40,9 seconds behind.

Fourth place went to Norway. The Scandinavians, winners in Ruhpolding and Hochfilzen this year, also took fourth place in Oberhof. The Poles, who were in the lead for a long time today, collapsed at the last change and fell back to 6th place.

Host Italy followed two places behind. The “Azzurre” were over three minutes behind Germany at the finish. Dorothea Wierer from Rasen moved to Karin Oberhofer in 10th place, who was able to move up two places. Nicole Gontier and Alexia Runggaldier then held 8th place until the finish.

Results Biathlon World Cup Antholz (January 20, 2013)

4x6km relay women

1. Germany 1.13.02,1 (0+10) (Franziska Hildebrand, Miriam Gössner, Nadine Horchler, Andrea Henkel) 2. Russia +17,4 (0+9) (Ekaterina Glazyrina, Olga Zaitseva, Ekaterina Shumilova, Olga Vilukhina) 3. France +40,9 (0+4) (Anais Bescond, Sophie Boilley, Marie Laure Brunet, Marie Dorin Habert) 4. Norway +1.19,5 (1+13) (Fanny Welle-Strand Horn, Synnoeve Solemdal, Ann Kristin Aafedt Flatland, Tora Berger) 5. Ukraine +1.40,4 (0+11) (Juliya Dzhyma, Valj Semerenko, Vita Semerenko, Olena Pidhrushna) 6. Poland +1.54,3 (2+6) (Krystyna Palka, Magdalena Gwizdon, Monika Hojnisz, Weronika Nowakowska-Ziemniak) 7. Belarus +2.23,3 (1+11) (Nadezhda Skardino, Nastassia Dubarezava, Liudmila Kalinchik, Darya Domracheva) 8. Italy +3.10,3 (1+16) (Dorothea Wierer, Karin Oberhofer, Nicole Gontier, Alexia Runggaldier) 9. Austria +3.40,5 (0+11) (Iris Schwabl, Romana Schrempf, Katharina Innerhofer, Lisa Theresa Hauser) 10. USA +4.43,1 (1+14) (Annelies Cook, Susan Dunklee, Sara Studebaker, Hanah Dreissigacker)

Voices from Antholz Franziska Hildebrand (GER), winning relay: “The atmosphere here in Antholz is incredible. We German biathletes receive great support. The crowd cheers when the shots hit the target, but also when we walk past in the stadium. Just great. And of course the victory just before the World Cup comes at just the right time and gives us additional motivation.”

Olga Zaitseva (RUS), second place: “Of course we would have liked to win. But we will now work hard so that we can be at the top of the World Cup. I hope we can do that.”

Sophie Boilley (FRA), third place: “We are happy with third place and not unhappy that we didn't win today. We weren’t that strong on the cross-country ski trail, but we didn’t make that many mistakes when shooting.”

Alexia Runggaldier (ITA), 8th place: “Running in front of this backdrop is unique. People cheer you on incredibly, it's crazy. But we were all way too excited today. The good results in Oberhof and Ruhpolding probably raised expectations that were too high. But eighth place is quite okay.”

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First German victory in Antholz: women win the relay

On Sunday the time had finally come: the German biathletes won their first victory at the World Cup in Antholz, winning the 4x6km relay ahead of Russia and France. Hosts Italy, however, had to settle for eighth place.

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