Selina Grotian, a 20-year-old German biathlete, achieved her first World Cup victory in the women’s 12.5 km mass start event at the Biathlon World Cup in Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France, on December 22, 2024.
Grotian’s performance was marked by a single penalty and a strong finish, where she emerged from the final standing stage with a four-second lead over her teammate, Franziska Preuss. She maintained this advantage, crossing the finish line with a time of 38:35.4.
This victory is a significant milestone in Grotian’s burgeoning career, following her previous best of fourth place in the 15 km individual event at the IBU World Championships. Her success contributes to a resurgence in German biathlon, revitalizing interest and enthusiasm for the sport.
In addition to her individual achievements, Grotian was part of the German women’s relay team that secured a victory in the 4×6 km relay at the World Cup in Hochfilzen, Austria, on December 15, 2024. The team, comprising Preuss, Grotian, Julia Tannheimer, and Vanessa Voigt, used only four spare rounds, marking Germany’s first women’s relay win in almost four years.
Grotian’s rapid ascent in the biathlon world underscores her status as a rising star, with the potential for further accomplishments in upcoming competitions.