Biathlon: “This year was a total catastrophe” — German athlete Johanna Puff vents after non-selection

German biathlete Johanna Puff has been omitted from both the German World Cup squad and the second-tier IBU Cup team for the upcoming season, prompting a frank reaction on Instagram. “I don’t know what to say. This year was a total catastrophe,” the 23‑year‑old wrote, adding that she had given her best but it wasn’t enough.

Her performances in decisive selection races fluctuated: after finishing fifth in the individual, she fell short of the top ten in the sprint. The coaching staff awarded the final two World Cup spots for the opener in Östersund to Marlene Fichtner and Anna Weidel. The returning Janina Hettich‑Walz had already secured a place thanks to strong preparation, while Franziska Preuß (overall World Cup winner), Selina Grotian, Julia Tannheimer and Vanessa Voigt were pre‑selected based on last season’s form.

Puff also missed out on the IBU Cup opener in Obertilliach, where Julia Kink, Stefanie Scherer, Charlotte Gallbronner, Lisa Spark and Sophia Schneider were chosen.

Puff had broken into the World Cup team via strong IBU Cup results at the end of 2023, but health problems sidelined her for several races in 2024/25 and she finished 78th in the overall World Cup. Illness also disrupted her preseason, forcing her to skip the German Championships in September.