Selina Grotian celebrated her first World Cup victory. © APA/afp / OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE

Two new faces conquer the Biathlon World Cup

Biathlete Selina Grotian fell into Franziska Preuß's arms after her first victory before giving her first winner's interview in a very cool manner. With their first double victory in almost five years, the two ski hunters crowned the most successful weekend of the season, after Danilo Riethmüller had caused a huge surprise by coming second in the mass start and taking the first World Cup podium of his career in Le Grand-Bornand.

22 December 2024

From: dpa/dl

"I'm just stunned, I have no words for it. I can't believe that I won," Grotian told ARD - calm and relaxed. With a total of six podium places and Preuß in the yellow jersey, the German team is heading into the long-awaited Christmas break very satisfied.

In addition to the double success in the mass start, the success in the pursuit by Preuß, who also came second in the sprint despite being slightly injured, was of course outstanding. In addition, Vanessa Voigt, who did not take part in the last race of the year due to poor health, came third in the pursuit.

"I can't believe I won." Selina Grotian

"It's cool that we're both on the podium," said Preuß (30), who can now deliver top performances even when she's not at 100 percent. "But it was the most horrible race I've ever done," said the Bavarian after it had rained incessantly.

Grotian is considered a child prodigy

Preuß, who has often suffered in the past, is having the best start to the season of her career and has extended her lead in the overall World Cup. She has been on the podium six times and has never finished worse than fifth. Now she wants to recharge her batteries at home over Christmas with her boyfriend Simon Schempp and her family and recover in order to be able to perform at 100 percent again: "But for now I'm looking forward to the break." For her and Voigt, the team challenge will continue on December 28 in Schalke together with Philipp Nawrath and Justus Strelow.

Selina Grotian (center) is on the podium for the first time – and right at the top. © APA/afp / OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE

“The atmosphere in the team is perfect, young and old complement each other perfectly,” said discipline coach Kristian Mehringer, summing up the current secret of success.

Grotian showed in the French Alps that she, like 19-year-old Julia Tannheimer, who had to miss two races in France due to injury, is a promise for the future. In the pursuit during the day, she was very unlucky when she lost her right ski in a downhill race in the first few laps and ended up finishing in 14th place.
"I'm a very calm guy and I work a lot on myself," explained the multiple junior world champion, who is now looking forward to seeing her family and her dog Nala. Previously, the season had not gone as hoped for the ambitious Grotian, and there were also poor results, but these are to be expected at this age.

Riethmüller redeems German men's team

Like Grotian, late starter Danilo Riethmüller also made his podium debut. "I'm now looking forward to my wife and my dachshund," said Riethmüller, who himself was not sure how he managed to keep the dominant Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Bö behind him in his coup and only had to let his brother Tarjei go first.
"I'm still a little lost for words, I'm incredibly happy," said the 25-year-old, who had already made a statement the day before in the pursuit race by jumping from 29th to seventh place. After his lifelong dream came true, he thanked national coach Uros Velepec and his home coach Alexander Wolf.

Danilo Riethmüller is considered a late starter. © APA/afp / OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE

"That they gave me their trust, accompanied me through the valley of mistakes and continued to give me the chance," said Riethmüller, who missed the relay podium in Hochfilzen due to a penalty lap.

Before Riethmüller's coup, the men were in the shadow of the women. In the first season after the retirement of Benedikt Doll, the last representative of the Golden Generation around Arnd Peiffer, Erik Lesser and Schempp, the performances were solid, but things were not going consistently well, especially on the shooting range. Riethmüller's success could be the initial spark.