For over seven years, fans have been waiting for a German victory at the bett1.de Biathlon World Team Challenge. That is set to change this year. Because with Vanessa Voigt and Justus Strelow, the German Ski Association will be sending its two most determined athletes to the world's biggest biathlon event in the VELTINS Arena in Gelsenkirchen on December 28.
The fact that the Voigt/Strelow duo are likely to travel to the bett1.de Biathlon World Team Challenge with justified hopes becomes clear when looking at the results lists from last winter: at the World Cup in Antholz, Italy, the two Thuringians were the first German team ever to win a mixed sprint. A format in which you have to shoot - and ideally hit - as often as in the Biathlon World Team Challenge. "That usually suits me," explains Strelow.
Best shooter in the entire World Cup
And he's not entirely wrong. After all, the 27-year-old was the unofficial shooting champion of the entire international competition in the last World Cup season with an impressive 94% accuracy rate. Vanessa Voigt also took first place in the women's World Cup shooting statistics for 2023/2024.
Last German WTC winners: Vanessa Hinz and Simon Schempp 2016
The best conditions for another German victory at Schalke after 2016. Back then, Vanessa Hinz and Simon Schempp, both now retired from biathlon, caused a real decibel hurricane at Schalke.
Whether the ambitious plan can be put into practice, however, will depend above all on how the two DSV shooting stars cope with the special atmosphere and outstanding mood in the VELTINS Arena.
Strelow considers it an honor to be involved
Justus Strelow is only familiar with the event at Schalke as a participant in the junior race in the afternoon: "The main program in the evening will of course be completely different. So many people in such a small space and such a high-caliber field, anything can happen. But of course I hope that we will sell well together. In any case, I was delighted when I was asked. It's really an honor for me to be part of it."
Biggest biathlon event in the world
Since 2002, the biggest biathlon spectacle in the world with its World Cup-level cross-country ski trail has been one of the most popular winter sports events of all. The format has had a loyal fan base right from the start and has become a fixed date in the season for many biathletes over the years. Tens of thousands of spectators cheer them on every time they compete in the VELTINS Arena, while millions watch the live broadcast on their screens.
Details about the biathletes and the program in the Schalke stadium and the winter village will be announced gradually over the coming months on biathlon-aufschalke.de.
Secure tickets now
Fans can buy tickets for the Biathlon at Schalke 2024 from 19 euros at tickets.schalke04.de, via the hotline 0209 | 9775 1877 and at the Service Center at the FC Schalke 04 office (Ernst-Kuzorra-Weg 1, 45891 Gelsenkirchen).
