The German relay team achieved a brilliant victory in Hochfilzen. © Pierre Teyssot
The women’s relay at the World Cup in Hochfilzen offered fans an emotional finale – with the better outcome for the German biathletes. For the Azzurre around Hannah Auchentaller, however, it was a wasted day.
December 15, 2024
From: never
It was a showdown that you only know from Hollywood. Final runner Franziska Preuß, number one in the overall World Cup, offered Lou Jeanmonnot, her closest rival in the classification, a hot dance for victory in the last kilometers of the relay. At the handover there were only a few seconds between the two, the decision was made at the last shooting range – in favor of the German biathletes.
While Preuß shot faster than her shadow in the standing position and dropped all five targets, Jeanmonnot showed nerves and even had to go into the penalty loop again. A development that was not necessarily foreseeable in the initial phase. After all, the French women appeared untouchable thanks to the preparatory work of starting runner Julia Simon. The following Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (four spares) and Sophie Chauveau (two spares) opened the door for the DSV athletes.
The French gave up the victory. © APA/afp / KERSTIN JOENSSON
Preuß, Vanessa Voigt, Selina Grotian and Julia Tannheimer achieved the first German relay victory since 2021 in Oberhof. France ended up in second place, 1:05.7 minutes behind, while Sweden fought its way to third place and completed the podium (one penalty lap/+1:31.8).
Auchentaller and Co. unlucky
The Azzurre, however, had nothing to do with the fight for the top places. Starting runner Hannah Auchentaller had a difficult day. The 23-year-old South Tyrolean had to reload four times and also received one penalty. Her teammates Samuela Comola, Martina Trabucchi and Michela Carrara subsequently invested a lot, but there was no leap forward. In the end it was enough for the azure runners to finish eleventh (two penalties/+3.57.4).
Hannah Auchentaller and Co. had a bad day. © Pierre Teyssot
At 2:15 p.m. the men’s relay (4×7.5km) and thus the last race in the Tyrolean Alps is on the program in Hochfilzen. Next week it continues in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France.
