In a riveting turn of events at the World Championships in Nove Mesto, Sophia Schneider, the final runner of the German biathlon relay, took the opportunity to shine. When Franziska Preuß was unable to participate, Schneider stepped in. The 26-year-old athlete, who was not anticipated to partake in the run, managed to bring the German quartet from a fifth-place standing to a glorious bronze medal. As the news sunk in, Schneider was overwhelmed with joy, her elation evident as she screamed and tears rolled down her cheeks.
On the other hand, the German men’s team comprising Justus Strelow, Johannes Kühn, Philipp Nawrath, and Benedikt Doll, secured fourth place. After a gruelling race spanning 4 x 7.5 kilometers, the DSV quartet lagged behind the first-place team, Sweden, by 51.6 seconds. The silver medal was clinched by the Norwegians, who were initially pegged as the likely winners. However, their chances were marred when Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen faltered at the shooting range, incurring three penalties. This turn of events led to France winning the bronze medal.
Speaking about her incredible journey, Schneider stated on ZDF, “On the last lap it was like in a movie.” She shared the rollercoaster of emotions she and her teammates Janina Hettich-Walz, Selina Grotian – who made her World Cup debut – and Vanessa Voigt experienced. The team faced a series of challenges but managed to secure a happy ending. Voigt paid tribute to Schneider’s performance, lauding her for the final shot. “Hats off to Sophia for putting in the last shot like that. I think we more than deserve this,” Voigt said.
In the next display of powerful performance by France, only Sweden managed to surpass the DSV athletes. The DSV team utilized nine spares and were 1:14.2 minutes behind at the finish line. Germany had much to celebrate as, after Hettich-Walz’s second place and Benedikt Doll’s third place in the individual races, this was their third medal in the Nove Mesto championship.
The German quartet faced a series of challenges on the cross-country ski trail. Hettich-Walz, who was the first runner, said, “For me it was a combination of everything. There were places where it was mushy. I really struggled with my skis and then I didn’t have the best day either.” Despite facing issues with the material and the route, the German runners managed to overcome their initial struggles. They finished 1:48 minutes behind France. But the outcome led to a celebratory atmosphere, with Voigt, Hettich-Walz, and Grotian running towards Schneider, waving the German flag, in a show of national pride.
Grotian reflected on the race, saying, “We were always in the middle of things, even though everyone did a good job. I didn’t even understand why we weren’t that far ahead. But Sophia just saved it in the end, kept her nerve and brought the thing home.” This sentiment underscored the importance of Schneider’s contribution to the team’s success.
The DSV quartet had previously won silver at the three prior World Championships. The last time they missed out on a medal was in 2019 in Östersund, where they finished fourth. Speaking about the journey, Sports director Felix Bitterling said, “I died three times and was reborn three times. It was an exciting season. I think the girls implemented exactly what we discussed. It’s a medal that feels incredibly good.”
In a twist of events, two and a half hours before the race began, the DSV had to announce that Preuß would not be participating due to a sore throat. It is uncertain whether the 29-year-old will be able to compete in the mass start on Sunday. “Losing Franzi always hurts us. Everyone knows the value and how good she can be,” said Bitterling. However, Schneider proved to be an exceptional substitute, leading the team to the podium with her excellent performance on the shooting range. She took advantage of the competition’s unexpected errors, ensuring a place for her team on the podium.
