Biathlon-Einzel in Kontiolahti
DSV-Athletin überrascht – zwei Schwestern ganz vorn
Aktualisiert am 05.03.2026 – 19:02 UhrLesedauer: 2 Min.
Marlene Fichtner delivers a stunning performance at Biathlon-Einzel in Kontiolahti, as Swedish sisters claim the top spots.
In the first race following the retirement of Franziska Preuß, Marlene Fichtner turned heads with a flawless showing. The 22-year-old finished fifth in the World Cup event in Kontiolahti, won by Elvira Öberg, marking her best World Cup result and providing a bright spot for the German team after a challenging Olympics.
Competing in frigid temperatures of minus five degrees Celsius, Fichtner navigated the 15km course without a single penalty in four shooting rounds. “I can’t quite believe it right now, and I’m just remarkably happy that it worked out,” Fichtner told ZDF.
Janina Hettich-Walz finished ninth with two missed shots (2/+2:22.8 minutes), lamenting ongoing struggles with her standing shots. “It’s been haunting me all year, I just can’t get the second standing shoot right. It’s becoming a mental battle,” Hettich-Walz said.
Selina Grotian (3/+3:31.9) and Vanessa Voigt (3/3:56.6), a fourth-place finisher in the Olympic individual event, placed 20th and 25th respectively. Julia Tannheimer (4/+4:13.9) finished 28th, while Anna Weidel was sidelined due to illness. Fichtner’s performance was a clear highlight, improving upon her previous best World Cup finish of 16th. The German team had a disappointing Olympics, securing only one bronze medal in the mixed relay.
Elvira Öberg secured her third seasonal victory with a clean shooting performance, followed closely by her sister Hanna (1/+41.3 seconds) and Paulina Batovska Fialkova of Czechia (1/45.0). Fichtner finished 1:25.9 minutes behind the leader.
Competition continues in Kontiolahti on Friday with the men’s 20km individual event (5:10 PM/ZDF and Eurosport). Lucas Fratzscher, Philipp Horn, Philipp Nawrath, Leonhard Pfund, and David Zobel will represent Germany. Justus Strelow is out due to injury. Saturday’s schedule includes the women’s mass start (1:40 PM) and the men’s 4×7.5km relay (3:40 PM).
