Switzerland wants to win its first World Championship medal with Amy Baserga and Niklas Hartweg in the single-mixed competition in Lenzerheide on Thursday. The prospects are intact.
20.02.2025, 05:00
20.02.2025, 06:51
SDA
Niklas Hartweg was seeded as the Swiss man in the single-mixed competition at the latest with his strong performance in the singles. In the women's singles, the choice between Amy Baserga and Lena Häcki-Gross fell on the 24-year-old from Schwyz.
"It was a difficult, tough decision," explains Swiss head coach Sandra Flunger. "We ultimately opted for Amy because she has been our best shooter throughout the season." With three reloads allowed per shoot, a fast shooter like Baserga, who is also one of the most accurate, is a good choice.
Baserga with fresh legs
In addition, the woman from Einsiedeln missed the pursuit after the unsuccessful sprint and therefore probably has fresher legs than some of her competitors. However, her 16th place in the individual competition on Tuesday showed that she has overcome her disappointment and is still in good shape.
In the single-mixed relay, one woman and one man each complete two stages with one prone and one standing shooting. The final section, which is 1.5 km longer than the others, is run by the men this time, i.e. Niklas Hartweg. France is the clear favorite with Julia Simon and Quentin Fillon Maillet, while Germany, Sweden, Italy and Norway are likely to have the best chances of winning a medal. Record winner Johannes Thingnes Bö is aiming for his 23rd World Championship gold medal, but Norway does not have a convincing option in the women's race in Ragnhild Femsteinevik.
Probably only France out of reach
There are weaknesses everywhere apart from the French, however, and this is the Swiss duo's chance. The 24-year-olds Baserga and Hartweg from Schwyz have known each other since childhood and have already celebrated several successes. Two years ago, they came second in the European Championships in Lenzerheide (which is not very significant in biathlon), and they have also stood on the podium together twice in the World Cup.
The best Swiss result in the non-Olympic format, which has been held at the World Championships since 2019, are two 5th places, in 2020 by Lena Häcki and Benjamin Weger and a year ago in Nove Mesto by Häcki-Gross and Hartweg. With an optimal competition, perhaps a little more is possible this time. "We will have a powerful duo at the start," promises coach Sandra Flunger.
