South Tyrolean newcomers are there: biathletes start the season

An individual race, a relay, a sprint and a pursuit kick off the 2022/23 season in Kontiolahti. From November 29th to December 4th, the best athletes in the world will be in the Finnish biathlon stronghold. On Wednesday, Klaus Höllrigl, the national team's technical director, announced who would be allowed to strap on their cross-country skis and point their rifle at the targets at the season opener.

With Lukas Hofer, Tommaso Giacomel, Didier Bionaz, Patrick Braunhofer, David Zingerle, Daniele Cappellari, Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi, Michela Carrara, Samuela Comola and Rebecca Passler, 6 men and 5 women can embark on this journey and enjoy the spotlight of the winter sports world . As usual, South Tyrol is well represented (Hofer, Braunhofer, Zingerle, Wierer, Passler), with the name David Zingerle particularly standing out. The son of the South Tyrolean coaching legend Andreas Zingerle (he retired in the summer) will compete in his very first World Cup race.

The ski hunters are currently still in the middle of preparation and are training in Beitostølen in Norway (until Friday) for the big showdown.

As always, Dorothea Wierer is one of the favorites. © Lehtikuva / VESA MOILANEN

Höllrigl explains his squad decision as follows and is optimistic about the future: “The philosophy of our summer preparation was to provide Dorothea Wierer and Lukas Hofer with the best possible support so that they can fight for the top position year after year. Behind it is a group of young athletes who will primarily work towards the 2026 Olympic Games without looking too much at the short-term result. The decision to form a large group is based on the idea of creating a good team spirit.”

Höllrigl is confident and believes his athletes will have great success in the coming season, especially since the preparation is under way New coach Andreas Inderst seems to have been successful. Only top athlete Lukas Hofer had to struggle with a few minor injuries, but should be fit in time for the start of the season. Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi in particular completed their preparations successfully. As is the case in sport, only the first competition will show how the Azzurri compare to the other biathlon nations.

The athletes Lukas Hofer, Tommaso Giacomel, Didier Bionaz, Patrick Braunhofer, David Zingerle, Daniele Cappellari, Dorothea Wierer, Lisa Vittozzi, Michela Carrara, Samuela Comola, Rebecca Passler

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South Tyrolean newcomers are there: biathletes start the season

On November 29th the time has finally come: then the new biathlon season begins. The setting: Kontiolahti in Finland. The Azzurri squad was announced on Wednesday.

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