Biathlete Andexer

Anna has nothing to lose in her World Championship debut

Radiant Anna Andexer.(Bild: GEPA)

22-year-old Anna Andexer from Salzburg is celebrating her debut at the Biathlon World Championships in the sprint in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) on Friday. Who is supporting her from home and why the "suburban women" could help her.

Day X has arrived for biathlete Anna Andexer. The 22-year-old from Pinzgau will be competing in her first elite world championship race today in Lenzerheide. "I'm really looking forward to being there. I wouldn't have expected this before the season. But I'm sure I'll also be brutally nervous," she grins in the "Krone" interview.

The cheerful disposition is in her nature. "I'm not trying to get carried away, I'm just trying to enjoy the World Championships."

The big goal of the two-time European junior champion is to qualify for the pursuit. In terms of skiing, the athlete from Saalfelden feels "really strong, it's easy". At the shooting range, however, it was jinxed recently - the targets didn't want to fall as hoped.

"Maybe I put too much pressure on myself because you need a zero in the World Cup. After Hochfilzen (flawless sprint, note) I had a bit of a hangover," she admits.

At her World Cup premiere in Hochfilzen, Anna Andexer finished in the points straight away.(Bild: Kronen Zeitung/Christof Birbaumer)

Her family is there to support her
In Switzerland, she can perform freely. The "suburban wives" could help. "Anna Juppe and I watch the series," says Andexer, revealing that it helps her switch off.

She has no shortage of support. "My dad is there, as well as my brothers and some of the fan club." Competing for Austria alongside her are former world champion Lisa Hauser, Anna Gandler and Tamara Steiner.