This week, the German biathlon team is set to make history by competing in their first mixed relay at the World Championship in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Athletes Selina Grotian, Franziska Preuß, Philipp Nawrath, and Justus Strelow aim to secure a medal after a challenging season. With Preuß leading in the women’s World Cup standings and strong competition from Norway, France, and Sweden, the team is eager to break their podium drought since 2019.
Historic Mixed Relay for the German Biathlon Team
This week marks a groundbreaking moment for the German biathlon team as they participate in their inaugural mixed relay at the World Championship opener. The event is set to take place on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 2:30 PM in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Athletes Selina Grotian, Franziska Preuß, Philipp Nawrath, and Justus Strelow are gearing up to pursue their first medal in this exciting new format.
Aiming for the Podium After a Tough Season
The German Ski Association announced this powerful lineup on Tuesday, highlighting their aspirations for success after finishing fourth in Kontiolahti and fifth during the home World Cup in Oberhof earlier this season. The team is eager to break their medal drought in the mixed relay, which dates back to their last podium finish in Östersund in 2019.
Despite facing challenges in recent competitions, including a fifth place at the 2024 World Championship in Nove Mesto and a sixth place at the Oberhof event in 2023, the team remains optimistic. Felix Bitterling, the German sports director, acknowledged the need for improvement but emphasized their goal of achieving a podium finish right from the start.
This relay will be the first time that Grotian, Preuß, Nawrath, and Strelow compete together in this format. With Preuß currently leading in the World Cup standings for women and Grotian in seventh place, the team is set to showcase their best effort. Strelow, who has been a standout shooter in the World Cup, will take on the anchor role for the first time in his career.
While the Germans are not considered the favorites, they will face stiff competition from Norway, France, and Sweden. Norway’s team includes top athletes such as Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and Johannes Thignes Bö, while defending champions France will field Julia Simon and Emilien Jaquelin. Sweden also brings a strong squad, with Anna Magnusson and Hanna Öberg aiming for a top finish.
As the biathlon World Championship progresses, fans can stay updated with the complete biathlon calendar, featuring all key dates from the World Cup kickoff in Kontiolahti to the season finale in Oslo. The German team’s mixed relay debut is set to be a thrilling start to the championship, and they are determined to chase that elusive medal.