Vanessa Hinz's season so far is more like a roller coaster ride. The Schliersee biathlete also sees it that way. Just in time for the World Championships in Antholz (South Tyrol), the climax of the trip should now follow.
"I want to deliver my best races at the World Cup and start in many competitions," said Hinz ahead of the title fights, which start today Thursday and will attract thousands of spectators to the small Puster Valley in Antholz by Sunday, February 23 ,
Many of the enthusiastic biathlon fans will come from Germany. "With the many German fans, it's almost like a home World Cup for us," says Hinz. "It is not difficult to motivate yourself." The Schliersee resident is not only at home in the mountains of the district, but also in her training location in Ruhpolding and now in Antholz. "I find Antholz simply beautiful. The people there feel like home. ”
The 27-year-old will start the sprint tomorrow (2:45 p.m.). In the mixed relay (today, 2.45 p.m.) Franziska Preuss, Denise Herrmann, Benedikt Doll and Germany's final runner, Arnd Peiffer, will start in Germany. For Hinz, it is important to show a good performance in the sprint to get a good starting position for the pursuit on Sunday. In addition, the SC Schliersee biathlete still has to worry about a starting place in the mass start next week, for which the first 15 of the overall World Cup and 15 best unqualified persons of the World Cup are eligible to start at the World Cup.
Hinz has to offer a few good appearances on the trail. "If I perform well, I am confident that I can also run in the mass start," she says. "If I don't qualify, I don't deserve it either." However, she is confident: "The form of the run continues to improve, and I have a better grip on shooting."
She wants to evaluate a more in-depth analysis of why things have always been going up and down after the season. "There is no gross mistake. There are always minor problems from time to time, ”explains Hinz. "That's why I don't want to stir anything up before the World Cup."
Therefore, an automated process in the standing position was on the program. To avoid driving, Hinz traveled to Antholz directly from the training camp in Martell (Italy) on Sunday. There the Schliersee is now focusing on her first start. Probably the greatest chance for a medal is in the relay that takes place on Saturday, February 22nd. "I definitely want to start there," she says confidently.
In the past few years, the German season has been a favorite and failed when it mattered. This time the teams from Norway and France are considered contenders for the title. Hinz is combative: "We want to attack the podium in the relay." Her family and fans of the Schliersee Ski Club will also be there.