The time has finally come in a few weeks. The bett1.de Biathlon World Team Challenge is just around the corner. Shortly before the start of the new biathlon season, the list of participants for the WTC in the VELTINS-ARENA is filling up. Following the nomination of the first German duo, the second German team has now been confirmed. Marlene Fichtner and Danilo Riethmüller will compete for Germany.
Both are among the most exciting young athletes in German biathlon and bring a breath of fresh air, energy and great anticipation to the show event. Marlene Fichtner is particularly looking forward to her debut at Schalke: "The anticipation is huge! Even as a young girl, I thought the event was simply amazing - and it was always a dream to be able to run there myself one day. Starting in a soccer stadium full of biathlon fans will be simply incredible. The format suits me and I want to show what we can do!"
Fichtner celebrated her debut in the World Cup last season and finished 46th in the sprint in Hochfilzen, which also qualified her for the pursuit the next day. At the European Championships in Val Martello, the athlete from Chiemgau secured 2nd place in the individual event and went one better in the relay with the women - winning gold in the team and crossing the finish line with the German flag was a special moment for her.
His teammate Danilo Riethmüller, who has already competed twice in the supporting events at Schalke, knows exactly what to expect:
“The atmosphere there is one-of-a-kind—you can’t experience anything like it anywhere else. When you run through the tunnel into the stadium, the lights, the roar of the arena—it’s crazy and incredibly impressive. It’s a magical race, full of emotion everywhere. Marlene and I want to have fun and put on a really good show for the fans.”
Riethmüller already has experience of sold-out stadiums and top placings in the World Cup. After his sensational individual podium last winter at the World Cup in Le Grand Bornand, he finished behind the winner Tarjei Bø in the mass start, relegating biathlon king Johannes Thingnes Bø to third place. The man from the Harz crowned his season with a bronze medal in the team at the World Championships in Lenzerheide.
The young German team brings fresh energy to the VELTINS-Arena. Both are known for their passion, their fighting spirit and their enjoyment of competition - perfect for an event that combines sport and show.
Secure tickets now
Advance sales for the Biathlon at Schalke 2025 are in full swing: The tickets in various categories are also perfect as gifts and are available at tickets.schalke04.de or tickets.biathlon-aufschalke.de or via the hotline 0180 | 5378873 or 0209 | 9775 1877 and at the Service Center at the FC Schalke 04 office (Ernst-Kuzorra-Weg 1, 45891 Gelsenkirchen).
