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Vanessa Voigt at the World Cup in the Czech Republic

Photo: David W Cerny / REUTERS

The German biathletes once again came away empty-handed at the end of the World Championships in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. One day after surprisingly winning bronze in the relay, Vanessa Voigt finished fifth in the mass start on Sunday as the best of a quartet.

In the dominant victory of Frenchwoman Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the 26-year-old was 1:29.7 minutes behind without any shooting errors. Silver went to Italian Lisa Vittozzi, who also made no mistakes, and bronze went to Lou Jeanmonnot (one mistake).

France rules

Braisaz-Bouchet already won her fifth medal in the title fights, her teammate Julia Simon came away empty-handed this time. She also has a total of five precious metals, with four gold and one bronze she is the most successful participant at the highlight of the season. Janina Hettich-Walz secured the only two medals for the German women in the Czech Republic with silver in the individual and on Saturday in the relay with bronze.

»I'm still extremely happy with my fifth place. “Let’s get rid of the French women now, then I’ll have the second one,” said Voigt. The women from France once again set the pace on the cross-country ski trail. It felt “a bit like the difference between business class and second class” on the plane, said Voigt about the difference from the top.

The last German world champion in the mass start was Laura Dahlmeier in 2017, the last medal so far was won by Denise Herrmann-Wick in 2019. The German team alongside Voigt was a long way from that. Franziska Preuß (1 mistake) took eleventh place, Hettich-Walz (3) had no chance in 28th place, as did Selina Grotian (7), who crossed the finish line last.

After a flawless first shooting, Preuss and Voigt initially stayed in midfield. But there were already more than 20 seconds missing from the top.

Former world champion Preuß had to miss out on the relay on Saturday because the Bavarian complained of a sore throat. Preuss was ready for action again in time for the World Cup final, but dropped out of the top 15 after a penalty in the second prone. Voigt from Thuringia did better and didn't miss any of her 20 shots.

The men's mass start over 15 kilometers follows at 4.30 p.m. (ZDF and Eurosport).

ara/dpa