Biathlete Denise Herrmann-Wick couldn't stop cheering on the winner's podium, later she let the euphoric fans celebrate her with a La Ola.

With her tenth World Cup success, the 34-year-old made a declaration of war on the competition a good two and a half weeks before the home World Championships in Oberhof.

"To be at the top in Antholz is a huge thing.

It's one of my absolute favorite laps here.

It was really great,” said the winner on Saturday after her triumph in the Antholz pursuit.

Only two mistakes on the sometimes treacherous shooting range, plus the best run time at the height of 1600 meters, which is exhausting for the body - with a view to the season highlight in Thuringia from February 8th to 19th, her form seems to be going exactly according to plan.

"It's going to be a great World Cup"

"Everything is fine, now it's time to stay healthy.

It will definitely be a great World Championship and we are extremely motivated as a team,” said Herrmann-Wick after her second win of the season and her third podium of the winter.

Her successes are also the only ones for the women's team so far.

Her husband Thomas, who arrived on Friday evening, and his parents provided the extra portion of motivation along the route.

And they saw a strong Herrmann-Wick who, especially in the last shooting stage, kept her nerves in a direct duel with sprint winner and local hero Dorothea Wierer and Norwegian Marte Olsbu Röiseland and only had to turn an extra lap.

“The last shooting was extremely strong, with the pressure.

That really impressed me," said two-time Olympic champion and ZDF expert Laura Dahlmeier.

Half the norm for Kebinger

Herrmann-Wick prevailed in front of the Italian Lisa Vittozzi and the Swede Elvira Öberg.

In the end, the individual Olympic champion had an eleven second lead over the flawless Vittozzi and 17.2 seconds over Öberg.

Season debutant Hanna Kebinger was tenth and thus managed half the World Championship standard.

"I can't really believe it," said the 25-year-old, who may still be in the running for the sixth and last World Cup ticket.

Janina Hettich-Walz confirmed her improving form in twelfth place.

When she returned to the World Cup after an illness of several weeks, Franziska Preuss had to settle for 34th place in the chase race after 38th place in the sprint in South Tyrol.

Disappointed and without a word, the 28-year-old left the Südtirol Arena.

Sophia Schneider was 21st and Vanessa Voigt 25th. On Saturday the races in South Tyrol end with the two relays, the women run at 11.45 a.m. (ZDF and Eurosport), the men at 2.30 p.m.