Star Denise Herrmann-Wick chose to end her career this spring. After that announcement, there were many question marks about the status of German biathlon.
But the German biathletes have impressed greatly and lined up podium finishes at the start of the season. Among other things, Philipp Nawrath took his first World Cup victory yesterday and Franziska Preuss is noted for two top 3 finishes.
"It's very important for all national teams to start the season with good results. Especially for us after all the questions about Denise (Herrmann-Wick) about who will now take the podiums. We have given a good answer to those questions and I hope they will be fewer now, says Preuss and continues:
"A lot of the pressure is gone now. We can go for it and we are motivated.
"Always expected the podium"
Veteran Benedikt Doll, 33, with two Olympic bronze medals to his credit, says he feels that the pressure from German fans has decreased in recent years.
"Before, when there were biathlon competitions in Ruhpolding or Oberhof, the fans always expected to see us on the podium. But after corona, like at the World Championships in Oberhof last year, people were mostly happy to just be able to go to biathlon competitions again.
"They really enjoyed being there and didn't expect any results, they just wanted to have fun.