Before the European Biathlon Championships in Minsk-Raubichi (Belarus), the organizers stomped a complete biathlon course. They brought the snow from a cross-country ski run to the biathlon center and shot new snow on the track every day.
"It was not the most beautiful winter sport, but they were able to pull through the competitions and we all ran," says Stefanie Scherer from SC Wall. "The tracks were sometimes really deep and dirty."
However, the 23-year-old is very satisfied with the results at the European Championship. Because together with Justus Strelow (SG Stahl Schmiedeberg) she won the silver medal in the single-mixed relay, in which two athletes take turns twice. Although the Waller could not really convince at the Supersprint the day before and missed qualifying for the final by five seconds as 35th, she was sent into the race in the single-mixed relay.
"I was extremely happy that the coaches gave me the confidence and that I was able to represent myself at an EM", says Scherer. It was not a matter of course that this trust would pay off. "We weren't exactly favorites," admits Scherer. "But so much can happen in a season."
The German team was in twelfth place after Scherer’s first shooting, as she needed two spare rounds. "That can add up quickly, but thank God it went in the other direction," says Scherer. "We then fought our way forward little by little." The teammate could no longer look at the last shoot from Strelow. "It was incredibly cool to get a medal there. It's a completely new experience, ”says the 23-year-old.
In the sprint on Friday, she had another good day, showed clean shooting and finished eighth. "I had an early start number and I'm really happy with a top ten position." On Sunday in the pursuit, she had to pay tribute to the burden of the previous days. With a total of five mistakes, she slipped back to 33rd place.
Because the individual race in the EM was canceled due to the adverse track conditions, Scherer can even look forward to another title. She wins the single IBU Cup. "I didn't know that at all," said Scherer, surprised when asked. "It was only two races, but they were both good." With the victory in Obertilliach (Austria) and eighth place in Brezno-Osrblie (Slovakia), Scherer secured the individual ranking ahead of the Russian Ekaterina Glazyrina.
The IBU Cup also finishes in Belarus. From today, the last races in the second division of the biathlon will take place with two sprints and a mass start. Scherer could be given a very special honor. She can still qualify for the last World Cup of the season by remaining in the top ten in the overall ranking. The SC Wall athlete is currently ninth. "But I only think about it when the time comes."
