Vanessa Voigt just missed a top result in the mass start for the weakened biathletes at the end of the home World Cup in Ruhpolding. At the last standing stage, the 25-year-old was fighting for a podium place, but had to let the competition go after a mistake and finished a good fifth
After a total of two penalties, Thuringia’s Vanessa Voigt was 41.5 seconds down on Sunday after 12.5 kilometers on the victorious overall World Cup leader Julia Simon (3 penalties) from France.
Second was individual winner Lisa Vittozzi (1/2.6 seconds) from Italy. Third place went to France’s Anais Chevalier-Bouchet (1/6.7 seconds). After eight penalties, Sophia Schneider had to settle for last place in the field of 30 starters.
Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick, who finished second in the relay on Saturday with Anna Weidel, Voigt and Schneider, decided not to start. The 34-year-old from Saxony did not feel 100 percent fit after the intense exertion of the past few days, as reported by the German Ski Association.
With a view to the home World Championships in Oberhof (February 8th to 19th), “after consultation with the trainers and team doctor, no risk should be taken of further stress in the competition”. Herrmann-Wick will travel to the next World Cup in Antholz, Italy, on Sunday. Weidel, who was still slightly battered, did not compete either.
