Dorothea Wierer, relay debut at World Championships

World Biathlon Championships, the relay

It will be Lisa Vittozzi, Dorothea Wierer, Didier Bionaz and Tommaso Giacomel who will open the biathon World Championships on the German track in Oberhof, where the mixed relay will be held on Wednesday, February 8, at 2:45 p.m. (live on Raisport and Eurosport TV). The quartet has already been able to make the podium later this season at the World Cup in Pokljuka, with second place.

“But on that occasion it was the men who launched instead of the women,” explains technical director Klaus Hoellrigl. “We studied this lineup based on the indications we received during the year, Vittozzi in the first fraction is a safety, Wierer knows how to split the group and has proven it in the past, Bionaz shoots well and gives solidity, Giacomel at the moment is the most fit man, his was an almost natural choice. So far it has been a season in which we have perhaps gone beyond expectations, however a World Cup is always special, we need a bit of luck to get on the podium. The important thing is that the guys prepared well, we did everything within our capabilities. Hofer gave assurances about his physical recovery, he will surely come back useful in the next races and give his contribution. The course is tough and tough, the polygon is complex: between wind and approach it is perhaps the toughest of the whole circuit, so we will have to manage it in the best way, raising the level at the polygon.”