Biathlon in Ruhpolding - Benedikt Doll surprisingly comes second in the World Cup: "I knew I could do it"

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Benedikt Doll: Relief after second place

Photo: Sven Hoppe / dpa

Biathlete Benedikt Doll achieved his best result so far in the Olympic winter as second in the sprint at the home World Cup in Ruhpolding.

The 31-year-old ex-world champion was just 7.2 seconds short of the third victory in his career.

The basis for the top result was faultless shooting.

The strong-running athlete had only managed that five times in his career and came very close to the overall World Cup leader Quentin Fillon Maillet from France, who secured the success.

Behind Doll, Anton Smolski from Belarus finished third with one penalty.

“I knew I could, but I never got it across.

Today it finally worked, "said Doll on ZDF:" In terms of running things went really well.

I'm at full throttle - and finally flawless. "

For Doll it was an exemption in the absence of the stars from Norway around Johannes Thingnes Bø, who all complete an altitude training camp and did not start in Ruhpolding.

Previously, the veteran had only made it into the top ten once this season.

In shape just in time for the Olympics

Doll reported back three weeks before the start of the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

In Erik Lesser (one mistake), a second German made it way up in sixth and made Johannes Kühn's failure to be forgotten.

Germany's best ski hunter of the past few weeks was missing in Bavaria due to a corona infection discovered on Wednesday.

The home World Cup, which takes place in front of empty spectators due to the corona, will continue on Friday (2.30 p.m. / ZDF and Eurosport) with the women's relay.

For the women, it's about a clear increase after the disappointing sprint.

Franziska Hildebrand was 17th as the best DSV ski hunter on Wednesday.

jan / dpa