Biathlon World Cup: German relay has no chance – Norway wins safely

 The  German biathletes missed the targeted relay medal at the World Championships in Pokljuka. Because starting runner Erik Lesser collapsed completely, the DSV quartet was far behind early on.

From position 20 after Lesser’s race, Roman Rees, Arnd Peiffer and Benedikt Doll brought Germany to at least seventh place and avoided the worst result in history. An eleventh place in November 2005 at the World Cup in Östersund is the weakest men’s relay result so far.

 The  championship victory was secured by the Norwegians, who after 4×7.5 kilometers relegated Sweden and the Russian team to the places.

Already after the starter Lesser, the medal dreams of the DSV athletes, who had twice stood on the podium in this season in the World Cup, were over.

 The  32-year-old managed three spare rounds, but above all could not keep up on the track. Lesser handed over as 20th, 1:23 minutes behind Rees.

No explanation for the break-in

“

 The  last lap didn’t go at all. I don’t have a real explanation, ”said DSV doctor Jan Wüstenfeld to ZDF. After crossing the finish line, Lesser collapsed and supervisors had to help him up. Lesser, who has been plagued by back problems in the past, is doing well so far, says Wüstenfeld. He had “never seen a break-in on this scale,” Rees said. Lesser didn’t look good when he came in. I’m sorry for Erik, ”said Peiffer.

After that, the good performances of Rees and Peiffer, who remained flawless at the shooting range, as well as Doll (a spare) were of no use.

 The  DSV quartet had always won a medal at the last three major events.

 The  last world title came in 2015 in Kontiolahti.

 The  World Cup will end on Sunday with the mass start races for women over 12.5 km (12.30 p.m.) and men over 15 km (3:15 p.m.; TV: ZDF and Eurosport). So far, the DSV team has won silver twice. In addition to the women’s relay, Peiffer was successful in singles.