Pure biathlon atmosphere in Gelsenkirchen: On Sunday (28.12.), the VELTINS-Arena was once again transformed into a top-class winter sports stage. Athletes from nine nations competed for the title at the bett1.de Biathlon World Team Challenge in front of an impressive crowd. In the end, Justus Strelow and Janina Hettich-Walz celebrated for Germany.
The duo claimed the first German victory in nine years. France and Norway secured the other podium places. Marlene Fichtner and Danilo Riethmüller for Team Germany 2 came eighth.
Justus Strelow and Janina Hettich-Walz impressed in the mass start on the new course. The duo showed an outstanding performance at the shooting range. The favorites Lou Jeanmonnot and Fabien Claude finished second for France, while the Norwegians Juni Arnekleiv and Mats Overby came in third. Team Germany 2 with Marlene Fichtner and Danilo Riethmüller finished fourth.
It was a similar picture in the decisive pursuit race: Team Germany 1 and the French duo fought a thrilling neck-and-neck race. In the end, Janina Hettich-Walz and Justus Strelow triumphed, thrilling the spectators in the stadium with their fast and flawless shooting - including a standing ovation. Lou Jeanmonnot and Fabien Claude secured second place, followed by the Norwegians Juni Arnekleiv and Mats Overby on the podium.
"We know how strong the French are - so this success was all the more deserved. Janina and Justus won the mass start and won a pursuit, that was simply fantastic," said a delighted Felix Bitterling, Sports Director Biathlon at the German Ski Association (DSV). "The atmosphere here is always sensational anyway. When a German athlete or a German pair is in the lead, it's even more special. You can hardly say more about it today. At the same time, this event has long since lost its character as a purely invitational or fun race. You can see how professionally all the teams work here - that has sporting value. Nobody can be reduced to just being part of a show." The DSV will definitely have a tailwind for the upcoming races: Oberhof is coming up, then Ruhpolding and finally a small but very important sporting event in Italy, explains the sports director.
Talent Team Challenge and silent commemoration
Warm-up with the Talent Team Challenge: Even in the junior race, spectators were treated to a fast-paced race with a high tempo on the cross-country track and thrilling duels at the shooting range. The victory went to Liv Hildebrand and Kilian Simon. They came in just ahead of Janne Weigelt and Björn Hederich, with Mia Kasper and Kilian Pfaffinger in third place.
The fans were also moved by a moment of silent mourning that evening as they remembered the deceased athletes Laura Dahlmeier and Sivert Guttorm Bakken. Their untimely loss leaves a painful gap in the biathlon family.
Winter magic in the party zone
Away from the track, real winter magic was on offer around the VELTINS Arena. Despite the cold temperatures, the Hitzkopf party zone on Rudi-Assauer-Platz transformed the winter village into a bubbling party zone full of good humor and a rousing atmosphere. At numerous activity stands, such as the biathlon darts world championship, the teams competed with great ambition and even more fun at the target.
Before the starting signal for the World Team Challenge was given, the Dorsten cult band The Florians fired up the atmosphere with their performance. With their Steigerlied, they got the audience singing along enthusiastically, setting the perfect mood for the legendary après-ski party in the winter village. After the festive award ceremony, a spectacular indoor firework display traditionally brought an unforgettable day to a glittering close, transforming the arena into a sparkling sea of lights.
Biathlon also returns to Schalke in 2026. Tickets for the winter sports event of the year are now available at tickets.schalke04.de or tickets.biathlon-aufschalke.de.
The results in the overview
- Hettich-Walz/Strelow (GER 1)
- Jeanmonnot/Claude (FRA) +21.4
- Arnekleiv/Oeverby (NOR) +1:12.8
- Häcki-Groß/Burkhalter (SUI) +1:25.4
- Minkkinnen/Seppaälä (FIN) +1:28.2
- Davidova/Mikyska (CZE) +2:01.7
- Lie/Claude (BEL) +2:28.9
- Fichtner/Riethmüller (GER 2) +2:28.9
- Steiner/Komatz (AUT) +2:53.5
- Lampic/Dovzan (SLO) LAP
