The German biathlon men fight with shape fluctuations-but why is it? Franziska Preuß and Michael Rösch analyze the current situation.
The men’s German biathlon team is currently in a difficult phase. While the ladies around Franziska Preuss triumph last season, the men fight with fluctuating performances and the connection to the top of the world.
After the golden times, the team is looking for new top performers. Franziska Preuß and Michael Rösch spoke in the Spot1 show Spotlight about the situation of the German biathlon men.
Franziska Preuß talks about the weak results of the biathlon men
Franziska Preuß sees the difficulties of men, but is convinced that only small adjustments are necessary: ”In the biathlon you sometimes only have to turn a set screw by two millimeters, and suddenly it works again.”
The 31-year-old emphasized that the potential was available: “You definitely have it on it”. Often, however, they are little things that make the difference.
“They are absolutely cool biathletes”
Michael Rösch, Olympic champion from 2006, also analyzes the situation critically, but optimistic. “These are absolutely cool biathletes with a great character,” he said about the DSV team. However, he said that expectations have to change to the team: “You have to say goodbye to have a team of men who is always in the first six or on the podium.”
The former guarantee of success sees the generation change as a major challenge: “Simon Schempp, Arnd Peiffer, Erik Lesser – that was the last generation of the individual world champions, they are all gone now.”
Nevertheless, surprises are always possible – as two years ago. Philipp Nawrath and Roman Rees then made it onto the podium just like Justus Strelow. “Everyone thought where it comes from,” Rösch described the unexpected placements. “The dynamics suddenly developed unexpectedly and suddenly it went,” said the 41-year-old.
“It was very often the shooting”
According to Rösch, the past season also started promising: “They were on the podium in the season. Nawrath was third and then there was a negative spiral,” he said. But problems with the shooting range always laid better results: “If you get through three or four mistakes in the sprint, you don’t even win a damp handshake. It is very often the shooting.”
In addition, Rösch emphasized the mental component: “It is also a matter of the head when you are so light inhibited and always gets into the race with a slight fear. The men lack consistency at the shooting range. In one day it is the next.”
Despite the difficulties, Rösch remains optimistic. “I hope that with the new coach Tobias Reiter, a new jerk is going through the team,” said the ex-biathlete, who is confident that it will be going up again in the coming winter.