Greis congratulates man in yellow: Will give Rees a boost
Three-time Olympic biathlon champion Michael Greis is keeping his fingers crossed for Roman Rees that he doesn't have to give up the yellow jersey of overall World Cup leader straight away.
"Maybe he can defend it, I would wish him that," the 47-year-old told the German Press Agency. But, he qualified: "Of course, that's another league."
Rees celebrated the first World Cup victory of his career at the opening race in Östersund, Sweden, and was the first German to win the yellow jersey since Greis almost 15 years ago. Greis had also won the opening individual race over 20 kilometers in Östersund on December 3, 2008 and then went into the sprint three days later in yellow. However, the Allgäuer only finished 14th and had to hand over the bib to the Norwegian Emil Hegle Svendsen. Since then, no German ski racer had ever made it into the prestigious jersey of the World Cup leader.
German biathletes also strong
Rees won ahead of his equally outstanding teammate Justus Strelow and overall World Cup winner Johannes Thingnes Bö. "We experienced something incredible today and I'm extremely proud. Maybe it won't be the last time," said Rees. According to sports director Felix Bitterling, there were still "jokes" about the yellow jersey in the run-up to Sunday's race. It's now a bonus for the team, but especially for Roman. Another point, which is terrific, on this day," said Bitterling and announced that the successes of Rees, Strelow and the women with Franziska Preuß (2nd) and Vanessa Voigt (3rd) would be celebrated a little.
"I hope Roman can carry it for another day or two. But if you look at Johannes Thingnes Bö's series, it's going to be tough," said three-time World Champion Greis. The Norwegian Bö had won 19 races in the previous season, including the World Championships, and with third place has now finished on the podium 23 times in a row over the course of the season.
"Roman's victory was sensational, it will certainly give him and the team a boost because it is something special," said Greis. Rees will start next Saturday in the sprint in yellow. Before that, however, the women's relay (Wednesday), the men's relay (Thursday) and the women's sprint (Friday) are scheduled.
Michael Greis, having seen Roman Rees' triumph in the Biathlon World Cup, expressed his hope that Rees can retain the yellow jersey, stating, "I hope Roman can carry it for another day or two." Furthermore, Greis acknowledged the strength of the German biathletes, adding, "Roman's victory was sensational, it will certainly give him and the team a boost."
Source: www.dpa.com
