Giacomel suffers with Wierer: “I know how she feels”

Dorothea Wierer tried, but her return to the World Cup failed on Thursday. This meant that Italy's chance of a medal was gone. While the South Tyrolean questioned many things after the race, her teammate Tommaso Giacomel offered encouragement.

20. February 2025

From Lenzerheide

From:
Alexander Foppa

Italy’s single mixed relay team had to settle for 7th place at the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide ( Click here for the race report). Giacomel showed an almost perfect performance, but Wierer was in a bad mood after her break due to illness. Afterwards, both came together to the SportNews-Conversation in the media area of the World Cup Arena.

Dejection? Disappointment? Anger? A complete absence. The two Azzurri analyzed their performance objectively and precisely, knowing full well that there was nothing more in it that day. "I maintained my consistent form, performed well at the shooting range and on the cross-country ski trail," said Giacomel, who knows full well that it wasn't his fault today. "We always knew that it would be difficult - and that's how it turned out."

Tommaso Giacomel in an interview after the race. © Pierre TEYSSOT

Giacomel doesn't want to put the blame on Wierer. On the contrary, he encouraged her with soothing words: "I know how she is. I noticed in the last few days in the team quarters how badly she was affected. I know situations like this all too well. Hats off to her for how she handled it today." The Trentino athlete's chance of another medal is gone. He has another great opportunity on Sunday in the mass start. "Yes, I'm going all out!" announced the individual vice-world champion.

Wierer leaves further start open

The situation is completely different for Wierer. She doesn't even know if she will compete in this World Championship again. "I had imagined it differently, it didn't go according to plan. I will do some light training on Friday and recover, then we will see if I'm fit enough for the relay and mass start," said the Rasner after the race. She didn't seem depressed either, but was struggling with her health.

"Of course I feel sorry for Tommy" Dorothea Wierer

She described her feelings in a hoarse voice: "It annoys me, but I have to deal with it. After just a few meters I noticed that my skis were sticking to the snow. I couldn't get going." This was less due to the equipment than to her legs and her lack of breath. "Of course I feel sorry for Tommy, he had another great race." Wierer's recognition for her teammate seems genuine, but at the same time you can tell that she is longing for a small success of her own - despite all the adversities. It is hard to imagine Wierer leaving her last World Cup like this.

The rest of the World Cup program:

Saturday, February 22
12.05:XNUMX pm: Women's relay
15.05:XNUMX pm: Men's relay

Sunday February 23th
13.45:XNUMX p.m.: Women's mass start
16.05:XNUMX: Men's mass start