The joy of the two German biathlon youngsters was enormous – the disillusionment just 30 minutes later was even greater: The young German biathlon duo Leonhard Pfund (22) and Marlene Fichtner (22) were disqualified after winning the single mixed relay race in Nove Mesto. Shortly before the award ceremony, the two were deprived of first place after a strong performance and only four spare rounds.
The reason: Fichtner is said to have not shouldered the rifle properly after her last prone attack. She couldn’t get her left arm straight through the shoulder loop and was therefore said not to be traveling according to the rules. “It feels pretty hard. We were really happy that everything went so well. Now that’s a real shame,” said Pfund, who had caught up with and then overtaken Finn Tero Seppälä immediately after his last shooting. At the finish he was hugged by his beaming teammate.
Seppälä and Suvi Minkkinen (8 spares) benefited from the disqualification shortly afterwards and moved from second to first place. Behind them, the two Frenchmen Jeanne Richard and Émilien Claude (6) and Juni Arnekleiv and Martin Nevland from Norway (8) completed the podium.
Against the safety regulations
ARD presenter Michael Antwerpes explained: “Marlene Fichtner couldn’t get both arms completely through the straps when she left the mat. The left arm, the glasses are stuck there, and she can’t get her arm through. That’s against the safety rules and regulations.”
Fichtner had achieved her best career result with 16th place in the shortened individual race the day before. Pfund also impressed with 13th place in his World Cup debut on Thursday. This enabled the two to qualify for the mass start on Sunday.
