Germany's men's biathlon failed to win a medal at the Winter Olympics for the first time in 12 years.

In the final mass start on Friday in Zhangjiakou, China, Benedikt Doll was the best German in eighth place.

The 31-year-old made six shooting errors and was 2:31.4 minutes behind the new Olympic champion Johannes Thingnes Bö.

The Norwegian won his fourth gold at that Winter Games, matching the mark of his compatriot Ole Einar Björndalen from the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

In the mountains northwest of Beijing, silver went to Martin Ponsiluoma of Sweden, 40.3 seconds back.

Bronze went to Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen of Norway, 1:12.5 behind the winner.

Johannes Kühn was 10th, 2:38.3 behind Bö with five penalties. Roman Rees was 14th, 2:50.8 back after three penalties.

Philipp Nawrath finished 23rd after seven penalties in 3:55.7 minutes after gusts.

Nawrath and Doll still had good prospects halfway through the 15-kilometer race, but fell back decisively after three and two penalties respectively in the first standing stage.

In gusty winds and minus 17 degrees, Doll and Nawrath only hit one of the five targets in the last shooting and had to run four penalty loops.

This ends the biathlon competitions for the men of the German Ski Association, as they did in Vancouver in 2010 and for the second time ever without a medal.

Thanks to the women, there were a total of two medals for the German team.

In the first individual race, Denise Herrmann won gold over 15 kilometers, the women's relay followed with bronze.

Four years ago in Pyeongchang there were seven more precious metals.

Highlights were gold twice for Laura Dahlmeier and once for Arnd Peiffer.

Both have since resigned.

"We can be more than satisfied"

For Denise Herrmann, after gold in the individual and bronze in the relay at the finals in the Olympic mass start in China, nothing went at all.

The best German biathlete came in 13th. "I'm looking forward to the first meatloaf roll when I get home," said the 33-year-old on Friday in Zhangjiakou.

Exhausted and visibly drawn, the Saxon left the target area after five shooting errors and was looking forward to returning home.

"Relax, sleep in your own bed and eat local food" were at the top of her wish list.

Herrmann was not bothered by the fact that there was no third medal for the German women at the windy conclusion of the Winter Games in China.

"We can be more than satisfied with the Olympic Games," said the former cross-country skier, who provided the highlight with her surprising Olympic victory over 15 kilometers.

But bronze with the women's relay is also highly valued.

“We were there as a team.

With the gold medal, I and we all showed what we're capable of," said Herrmann: "Others show that it can't be repeated every day."

Originally, the women of the German Ski Association wanted to win medals three times, but after the long injury break and many problems with Franziska Preuss, this goal had to be corrected before the games, said national coach Kristian Mehringer: "We are satisfied with the gold and bronze Travel home.” Four years ago in Pyeongchang there were three medals for women.

Laura Dahlmeier won two gold and one bronze.

The season had ended up empty-handed in eighth place.

Preuss was the best German in the final over 12.5 kilometers in eighth place - a conciliatory conclusion after a long period of suffering including eight weeks without competitions until the beginning of this month.

"I felt reasonably okay.

Considering that it's the fifth race, I'm very happy," said the former world champion from Bavaria.

A lot of luck was also required in the mass start, as strong gusts made for conditions that were sometimes unmanageable.

The race was brought forward a day because it gets worse on Saturday.

“It was really very difficult because the wind was very variable.

You really fired every shot with care,” said Preuss.

She made a total of four penalties and after 12.5 kilometers she was 1:26.4 minutes behind the new Olympic champion Justine Braisaz-Bouchet from France.

Silver went to Tiril Eckhoff from Norway, behind her compatriot Marte Olsbu Röiseland took bronze.

The top trio made four shooting errors each.

For Röiseland it was her fifth medal in the sixth race in China, only in the women's relay was there nothing countable for the 31-year-old.

Never before has a biathlete won more precious metals at the Olympics.

Behind Herrmann, Vanessa Hinz (4) in 15th place and Vanessa Voigt (6) in 18th place also missed out on the top ten.

“I'm going home with a medal and that's in a team.

That was always my childhood dream and it's now coming true," said Hinz and wasn't upset about the finish that was blown away by the wind.

Thuringian Voigt, who missed bronze by just 1.3 seconds last week in fourth place, added: "I've learned so well this season.

I can get over that sometimes.”