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Denise Herrmann-Wick sprinted to her first win of the season in Hochfilzen
Photo: Andreas Schaad / dpa
Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick set an exclamation mark two months before the home World Championships in Oberhof.
Herrmann-Wick won the World Cup sprint in Hochfilzen and got the first success of the season for the German Ski Association (DSV).
After a flawless shooting performance, she won the race over 7.5 kilometers in 20:07.1 minutes, ahead of Marketa Davidova from the Czech Republic (1/+18.1 seconds) and Julia Simon from France (1/+20.1).
After her ninth World Cup victory, Herrmann-Wick has created a brilliant starting position for the pursuit race over 10 kilometers on Saturday.
After a strong start in Kontiolahti, it was already the fifth podium finish of the winter for the DSV.
“With 0/0, that's almost like an Olympic victory.
Hochfilzen is a horror stretch for me, I'm very happy that I overcame this trauma today, "said Herrmann-Wick on ZDF.
So far, the races in Hochfilzen have often been more of a problem for the German, she has never finished in the top ten there.
She was particularly satisfied with the standing shooting: »I did a good job again yesterday in training.
I tried to put into practice the tips I received.
Then I found my rhythm well, even standing, so I wasn’t stressed.«
The other starters with room for improvement
The rest of the German team missed out on a top 20 finish.
Franziska Preuss, who missed the start in Finland due to illness, made two penalties on her return and finished the sprint in 25th place. »I'm glad I was able to start at all.
It was tough on the track, but the competitive strength comes from race to race,” said Preuss.
Many injuries and forced breaks due to illness had caused her great self-doubt and motivation problems.
"I said to my friend at the time: I just don't know if the whole thing is still worth it," said the 28-year-old on Sky TV.
Anna Weidel (22nd place), Sophia Schneider (23rd) and Vanessa Voigt (30th) also missed twice.
Juliane Frühwirt did not make any mistakes, but was too weak on the cross-country ski trail and finished 40th.
On Friday (1.45 p.m. / TV: ZDF and Eurosport) the men's sprint continues over 10 kilometers.
On Saturday, in addition to the women's pursuers, the men's relay is on the agenda.
The women's relay and the men's pursuit are scheduled to conclude the World Cup on Sunday.
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