Italy's biathletes are preparing for the World Cup in Antholz

A total of 11 titles will be awarded in Oslo. There are five competitions each for men and women on the program, plus the mixed relay, which will take place right at the start. After the great successes in the World Cup this year (five wins, 13 podiums), the expectations of the Italian fans are high. This was also noticed at the media event at the Hotel Falkensteiner in Antholz-Obertal, where the “Azzurri” are staying during these World Cup preparations. The crowd of journalists and TV people was surprisingly large. Patrick Favre and Andreas Zingerle, who won four world championship titles from 1989 to 1994, are leading the World Cup preparations in Antholz. Only Willi Pallhuber was more successful with five titles. Head coach Patrick Oberegger is not there because he is at the European Championships in Tyumen this week. Christian De Lorenzi and, after the tragic death of her father, Karin Oberhofer from Fedthurn also felt the same. But she will start at the World Championships; last year in Kontiolahti she won two bronze medals, in the mass start and in the women's relay with Dorothea Wierer, Nicole Gontier and Lisa Vitozzi.

Doro Wierer is the biggest World Cup hope Wierer is our biggest World Cup hope. She celebrated three World Cup victories in the individual competitions this year, plus another five podium places as well as one victory and a third place in the relay. “I know that I am one of the top favorites and of course I feel the great pressure. The snow in Norway is quite soft, which is more of a disadvantage for me. But the preparation is good and that’s why I’m confident,” says the 25-year-old from Niederrasen. Federica Sanfilippo is less optimistic. She has been fighting a virus for a month and has a recurring severe sore throat. Things are better now and she hopes to stay healthy during the World Cup. Dominik Windisch and Lukas Hofer also hope so. They also struggled with minor health problems this year. After his World Cup victory, Windisch is confident of another surprise, “but I have to become more consistent, things are still pretty up and down for me.” Lukas Hofer has always shone in the relays recently, and in Oslo he finally wants this performance in an individual race bring. “A good start to the World Cup with the mixed relay would take a lot of pressure off us. I've always been strong at major events, maybe it will work in Oslo too."

Will Alexia Runggaldier also make it into the team? So far eight World Cup participants have been nominated. In addition to the five South Tyroleans, Christian De Lorenzi, Thomas Bormolini and Lisa Vittozzi were called up. Two more names will be added so that there are replacements in the relays. These two athletes, one could be Alexia Runggaldier from Val Gardena, will only be nominated after the European Championships.

Italy's team for the Biathlon World Cup Men Lukas Hofer (Montal) Dominik Windisch (lawn) Thomas Bormolini Christian De Lorenzi Women Karin Oberhofer (Feldthunrs) Federica Sanfilippo (Ridnaun) Dorothea Wierer (lawn) Lisa Vittozzi Two replacements will be nominated after the European Championships and will join the team later. Alexia Runggaldier from Val Gardena has a good chance of being nominated

The World Cup program in Oslo Thursday, March 3th 15.30 p.m.: Mixed relay Saturday March 5th 11.30 a.m.: Sprint men 14.30 p.m.: Sprint women Sunday March 6th 13.30:XNUMX p.m.: Pursuit gentlemen 15.45:XNUMX p.m.: Pursuit ladies Wednesday March 9th 15.30:15 p.m.: XNUMX km women Thursday, March 10th 15.30:20 p.m.: XNUMX km men Friday March 11th 15.30:XNUMX p.m.: Women's relay Saturday March 12th 15.30:XNUMX p.m.: Men's relay Sunday March 13th 13.00 p.m.: Women's mass start 16.00 p.m.: Men's mass start

Biathlon World Cup: All 14 South Tyrolean medals Gold (6) 1989 Minsk-Raubichi: Relay (Willi Pallhuber, Johann Passler, Andreas Zingerle) 1991 Lahti: Team (Hubert Leitgeb, Gottlieb Taschler, Simon Demetz, Willi Pallhuber) 1993 Borowetz: Andreas Zingerle (20 km individual) 1993 Borowetz: Season (Willi Pallhuber, Johann Passler, Andreas Zingerle) 1994 Canmore: Team (Hubert Leitgeb, Andreas Zingerle, Willi Pallhuber) 1997 Osbrilie: Will Pallhuber (10 km sprint) Bronze (8) 1985 Ruhpolding: Johann Passler (10 km sprint) 1986 Oslo: Season (Werner Kiem, Gottlieb Taschler, Johann Passler, Andreas Zingerle) 1996 Ruhpolding: Team (Hubert Leitgeb) 1997 Osbrilie: Season (Willi Pallhuber) 2011 Khanty Mansysk: Lukas Hofer (mass start) 2013 Nove Mesto: Season (Dorothea Wierer, Michela Ponza, Karin Oberhofer) 2015 Kontiolahti: Season (Dorothea Wierer, Karin Oberhofer) 2015 Kontiolahti: Karin Oberhofer (mass start)

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Italy's biathletes are preparing for the World Cup in Antholz

The 2016 Biathlon World Championships begin next Wednesday at Holmenkollen in Oslo. The Italian national team, with five South Tyroleans, is preparing for the title fights in Antholz this week. The local ski hunters, especially the women, are among the hot favorites ahead of the World Cup.

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