On and off the slopes: top line-up at the biathlon in Schalke

The bett1.de Biathlon World Team Challenge 2024 promises fast-paced races: two teams will once again be taking to the cross-country ski trail for Germany in the VELTINS Arena. Vanessa Voigt and Justus Strelow as well as Franziska Preuß and Philipp Nawrath are pursuing a common goal: the first German victory in eight years. Aside from the piste, spectators can once again expect a varied program, in which singer Daniele Puccia, among others, will really heat up the audience.

The four German biathletes are traveling to Gelsenkirchen with legitimate hopes: After her success at the World Cup in Hochfilzen, Franziska Preuß is currently the leader in the overall World Cup. With her victory, Franziska Preuß ended her six-year sprint drought and led the relay team, which also included Vanessa Voigt, to a long-awaited triumph. Voigt secured second place in the pursuit race and also demonstrated absolute world class.

Your male team colleagues also come to the Biathlon WTC in great shape: Philipp Nawrath, one of the longest-serving DSV athletes, climbed to the podium in the Kontiolahti sprint and is currently in a remarkable seventh place in the overall World Cup as the best German. Justus Strelow has also proven that he plays an important role again. With improving form at the shooting range and a running performance that is better than ever before, he has presented himself impressively in the last two weeks of the World Cup. The 27-year-old is already looking forward to his premiere at Schalke: “So many people in such a small space and such a top-class field, anything can happen. But of course I hope that we will sell well together. In any case, I was very happy when I was asked. It’s really an honor for me to be a part of it.”

Top-class starting field

But the starting field of the 21st Biathlon WTC promises strong competition: The French Julia Simon and Fabien Claude want to complete the hat trick this year. Also there: Anna Magnusson and Jesper Nelin (Sweden), Karoline Offigstadt Knotten and Sturla Holm Laegreid (Norway), Markéta Davidová and Michal Krčmář (Czech Republic), Juliya Dzhyma and Dmytro Pidruchnyi (Ukraine), Anna Gandler and Simon Eder (Austria) as well Lotte Lie and Florent Claude (Belgium). In addition, with Baiba Bendika and Andrejs Rastorgujevs, a nation is competing against Schalke for the first time: Latvia.

DSDS participant Daniele Puccia sets the mood

This year, Daniele Puccia from the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg will provide musical entertainment. He began his musical career in 2021 on the TV show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar”. There the Wuppertal native made it to the semi-finals and attracted a lot of attention from the music industry for the first time. After signing a contract with Universal Music, the 23-year-old appeared in various television shows and provided musical accompaniment to Super RTL’s Toggo tour twice. With a mixture of soulful ballads and rousing hits in the German pop genre, Daniele Puccia is coming to the Biathlon in Schalke for the first time this year to delight the audience. An impressive indoor fireworks display once again ensures the perfect conclusion – it is precisely these goosebumps that make the Biathlon WTC unique.

Special atmosphere in the winter village too

Fun and excitement are guaranteed for visitors, and not just on the snow. Since 2002, the largest biathlon spectacle in the world with its World Cup level cross-country ski trail has been one of the most popular winter sports events ever. The impressive atmosphere of the VELITNS Arena is also transferred to the outdoor area, where biathlon fans cheer on the athletes directly on the cross-country ski trail. There’s an exuberant party atmosphere starting at midday in the popular winter village with DJs, hands-on modules, sponsor stands and delicious culinary offerings.

If you want to get involved in sports yourself, you have to be quick: Anyone interested can register for the first Biathlon Darts World Championship until Friday (December 20th). Several teams of four players each compete against each other in a tournament format and throw at a biathlon-like target facility designed specifically for this competition. They should place as many arrows as possible in the hit area. Not only precision is required here, but also speed. All information about the Biathlon Darts World Cup is available at biathlon-aufschalke.de.

Secure your tickets now

Advance sales for the biathlon at Schalke on Saturday, December 28th are already in full swing. Tickets start at 19 euros tickets.schalke04.devia the hotline 0209 | 9775 1877 and in the service center at the FC Schalke 04 office (Ernst-Kuzorra-Weg 1, 45891 Gelsenkirchen).

Looking for a suitable Christmas present? If you purchase two tickets in the categories PK2, PK3, PK5 and PK10, you will receive the limited biathlon gift box in the Service Center. For just an additional 15 euros, fans will receive tickets and a greeting card as well as two scarves and two heating pads – the perfect equipment for an unforgettable day at Schalke. Grab it now and give the gift of joy! Anyone who already has tickets can secure the box on December 28th at all S04 shops on the event site and in the VELTINS Arena.