BMW IBU World Cup Total Score winner and Olympic and World Champion Laura Dahlmeier analyses Team Germany’s superb days in the Season Opening in Oestersund.

She reflects on Franziska Preuss’s stunning comeback, thinks loudly about the complex task the technicians face with preparing winning wax combinations without the fluor, and explains the changes in the circumstances when athletes exchange Scandinavia for Central Europe.

The season 2023/2024 opened in Oestersund in a beautiful winter, with fair conditions and fantastic competitions.

As a result of the incredibly chilly conditions, the snow was dry and slow, which turned out tough for many athletes. It felt like power endurance training, which can be an uncomfortable feeling. The fluor ban certainly made the team’s technicians think things through anew: they needed to figure out new workable combinations of waxes. With a good mix, a team can play for the podiums. With an unlucky combination, one can quickly fall behind, which can be mentally challenging for the athlete: the pressure to perform well on the shooting range increases further.

Germany collected two wins, five podiums, and two relay podiums, a dream start to the season. German experts, not just me, were all surprised. After the last testing competitions in Sjusjoen before the World Cup started, the team didn’t know precisely what to think about their form and what to expect in Sweden. Early success in the Individuals brought a lot of self-confidence to the team. I could see that from then on, every team member knew that the podium was achievable. Shooting accuracy was at a very high level, with skiing much better than in the previous seasons. The team also had fantastic skis. And Franziska Preuss and Philipp Nawrath travel to Hochfilzen in a yellow bib!

Franziska Preuss went through a significantly rough period last winter when she had to admit her body was not playing along. She had to draw a very consequential decision and stopped the season early. Franziska went on holiday and freed herself from the pressure of biathlon competitions. She then had enough time to reflect on her career and ambitions. When it became clear that she still had what it takes to be among the best, she started to train again. Three super results in Oestersund proved her decisions for the right one and relieved her of substantial burden. I can relate to that feeling as I started the 2018/2019 season only in the third World Cup week in Nove Mesto na Morave but finished my first competition on the podium.

The change from the beautiful but freezing days in Oestersund to - hopefully - some bright days in Hochfilzen, when the sun - despite cold temperatures - warms the air, is usually very welcoming for the athletes. Daylight lasts longer, and the snow is faster in Central Europe. Some athletes travel home for a day or two to see their families, which can lift their spirits.

Hochfilzen venue gives an edge to the athletes who can adapt to the fast-changing configuration with many turns and without a really long climb. The shooting range might seem unassuming, but that can be deceiving. Sudden wind bursts can surprise the athletes, and a fast-descending shadow can play a tricky role. The programme starts with the Sprints, and I think the winner will need to be very fast on the skis and shoot 10/10 rapidly. Hochfilzen is coated with snow, and the pre-Christmas atmosphere is in the air!