Rebecca Passler against Dorothea Wierer

It was a long summer, a nice one somehow with lots of sunny days. Well, maybe there wasn't enough rain. But overall it was a dream. If winter is to be like summer was, then he has to make an effort. The meteorologists encourage us. They predict snow on the first Advent and even at Christmas. Of course it would be great, no question. For me, the 23rd biathlon season begins this coming weekend and as crazy as it may sound, it's also honest: I'm nervous. I should be able to play it cool with all the experience I have in my luggage. But my emotional state is no different to that of the athletes I am allowed to report on at Eurosport. May. I write this consciously because, even after a long period of time at the station (since the beginning of 1989), I still see it as a privilege that I can live out my personal dream of being a sports reporter. I never think of it as work; I'm still really happy when I can put on my headphones. Then I'm in another world that opens up to me like a jewelry box. And I'm constantly discovering something new. That will be the case this time too.

20-year-old Rebecca Passler, for example, will be at the start in Östersund. For the first time at the World Cup. This certainly brings back memories of Dorothea Wierer, who was once chauffeured through the Antholz Valley in a horse-drawn carriage many years ago after she had won three gold medals at the Junior World Championships in Nove Mesto na Morave (Czech Republic). She has long been one of the big stars of the biathlon scene. Rebecca Passler, the niece of the Antholz biathlon legend Johann Passler, is now being considered as a potential successor to Wierer. She has won four silver medals at two junior world championships and even defeated Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi in the mass start at the Italian championships at the end of last season. That's why she was allowed to train in the so-called A squad before this winter. So also with Lukas Hofer and Dominik Windisch. Don't expect miracles from Passler It will be exciting to see how the chick from South Tyrol fares in the harsh world of the World Cup. Please don't expect miracles. As Dorothea Wierer recently said: “Most people don’t know how difficult biathlon is.” You could also ask a career changer: Stina Nilsson from Sweden is an Olympic champion. In cross-country skiing. She won the sprint in Pyeongchang. After that, interest in biathlon arose. She switched gears, but didn't yet find the ultimate approach to biathlon last winter. This will also be an interesting observation, especially since there have already been a few athletes (in fact almost all women) who have made the transition and ended up being world class. Magdalena Forsberg from Sweden, for example, or Kati Wilhelm.

Denise Hermann, who now leads the German team together with Franziska Preuss, also started out as a cross-country skier. You all know about the problems in biathlon. Handling the small-caliber rifle has to be automated and then there is the special circumstance that you suddenly have to stop again after a few kilometers. Just to shoot. Then run again. The pulse should be kept high, which is why the training is designed completely differently than for pure cross-country skiers. The particular physical and mental strain therefore sometimes takes its toll at an unusually early stage. Although they are still in their prime for competition, Simon Schempp and Arnd Peiffer have put their skis in the corner and disposed of their rifles, even though the Olympic Games are on the program in a few months. But not even the call of the five rings could change their minds, which is why a new era is beginning for the German biathlon men, which some people view with concern, because only Erik Lesser remains from the successful generation of the last few years.

On the other hand, in the German team you can also console yourself with a look at the competition. In Norway, Ole-Einar Björndalen, who is currently the coach in China, was followed by Johannes Thingnes Boe, together with his brother Tarjei. Or last season Sturla Holm Laegreid. And in France there wasn't much lamentation for long when Martin Fourcade ended his career. The entire team set out to replace him. Of course, one hopes for such a reaction from the German team, because one thing is clear. Only with success can interest in biathlon be maintained at its current high level. A reliable sport Biathlon is definitely a reliable sport. The competition calendar always follows the same rhythm. After the start with two individual competitions in Östersund (Sweden), the first big block follows at the same location, which is followed by two more weeks until Christmas. Yes and then comes the classic triumvirate with Oberhof, Ruhpolding and Antholz. As always, the final will be in Oslo (Norway) after the Olympic Games. The only uncertainty we have is Covid-19. With or without spectators: That is still the big question mark that hangs over this season. And so basically the principle of hope remains, as it does for all teams who hope that all training measures will now also have an effect in the competition. You never know that exactly, which is why we are all happy that we will soon have certainty. In any case, my headphones are ready. I can barely wait for it.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Rebecca Passler against Dorothea Wierer

The first Biathlon World Cup is finally on the program next weekend. Our columnist Sigi Heinrich will comment on all races live for Eurosport and is already full of anticipation.

Suggestions

Comments (0)