The racing in Hannover wrapped up the Bundesliga for 2023 and, to no one’s surprise, Buschhütten sealed their title. Having won the previous four rounds, they duly added a win at the fifth and final race.
Among the noteworthy performances, Lüneburg made a move up the rankings while Würzburg did all they could do avoid the drop.
Read on to find out how the each team fared and how the final standings look.
1st) EJOT Team TV Buschhütten – 100 points (no change)
Once again, Buschhütten swept the podium. Annika Koch led the way to add a win to her recent triumph at the Yeongdo World Cup. Tanja Neubert then took 2nd place.
Having led after the prologue, Solvieg Løvseth ended up in 3rd place.
It has been a commanding season from Buschhütten. With changes in management on the horizon – 2023 marked Rainer Jung’s final year in charge – it remains to be seen whether this marked the end of an era. After the year they have had, though, expect Buschhütten to be just as formidable next season.
2nd) Team Berlin – 85 points (no change)
Berlin ended up 6th overall in Hannover but they had done enough to confirm their runner-up slot behind Buschhütten.
Céline Kaiser and Lara Thekla Ungewickell were decent on their way to 11th and 15th, respectively. The Junior athlete, Mirjam Huber, also stepped up as the team’s third scorer in 25th.
Berlin have had as good a season as could have been expected. They do not really have the depth or world-level medallists to call upon in the way Buschhütten do. Last year, they recorded their best ever Bundesliga finish of 4th and have surpassed that considerably.
As the best of the rest, Berlin can take immense satisfaction from their campaign.
3rd) SSF Bonn Triathlon Team – 77 points (no change)
As with Berlin, it was a big year for Bonn.
A 4th place finish in Hannover was enough to secure 3rd place overall, which put them on the final podium for the first time in their history. Previously, their best result was a 6th place, which they hit in 2019 and 2021. The Bonn project is evidently gathering momentum and there is even space for them to grow.
Eva Daniëls was the top performer for the team in Hannover, finishing 7th. Daniëls has struggled at times this year so it was a welcome return to form. If she can return to consistent finishes next season, Bonn could challenge Berlin.
Daryna Moskalenko finished 14th and Ronja Steiling took 26th place to round out the scorers. Both could have possibly finished a tad higher on another day but in the end it was enough.
Bonn will be thrilled with their season.
4th) triathlon.one Witten – 72 points (no change)
Witten’s topsy-turvy season continued in Hannover. Without their big names, they slipped to 8th.
Nele Dequae led the way in 19th place while Magdalena Früh followed in 24th and Jony Heerink crossed the line in 28th.
By the skin of their teeth, though, Witten were able to hold on to 4th overall. That represents a drop of 1 place from 2022 (when they finished 3rd). Given the absences they have had to contend with this year (and that they memorably started a heavily-pregnant Bianca Bogen in Schliersee out of desperation for athletes), they can be pleasantly surprised at the end result.
5th) Dr. Loges Triathlon Team Lüneburg – 72 points (up 1 place)
Lüneburg signed off their 2023 with a bang.
With Franka Rust taking 5th place and Robin Dreyling finishing 9th, the team ended up in 3rd overall. Silke De Wolde completed the scoring in 22nd.
Although Witten were just about able to see Lüneburg off by the skin of their teeth, Lüneburg will be ecstatic. In 2021, they were promoted to the top division and in 2022 they finished 8th. Now they have moved up to 5th and have plenty of momentum. With the addition of one or two key recruits, they could challenge for a spot on the podium next year.
6th) Absolute Teamsport KTT 01 – 72 points (down 1 place)
It did not quite come together for KTT 01 in Hannover as they were leap-frogged by Lüneburg. The team ended up in 5th place with Anna Busse the top finisher in 10th.
Letizia Martinelli claimed 13th place while Felipa Herrmann landed in 27th.
KTT 01 ended up in 6th as Witten’s total of finishing positions for the year was 297, Lüneburg’s was 322 and KTT 01’s was 335. The tiebreak was the clearest indication of how, over the course of a season, every position matters.
Overall, though, they matched their 6th place from 2022. It may be a bittersweet taste given that 4th place was up for grabs. Nevertheless, KTT 01 will be confident of going even better next season.
7th) Triathlon Potsdam e.V. – 69 points (up 2 places)
What might have been for Potsdam?
Had they raced in Schliersee, they could have taken 2nd place from Berlin. In the end, though, they languished down in 7th overall.
A 2nd place in Hannover added some respectability to their standing. Selina Klamt was once again crucial as she finished 4th although a special mention ought to go to Julia Bröcker as she impressed on her way to 8th place.
Leann Naima Dietzel also finished 17th.
Injuries to Nina Eim and Jule Behrens at different points have hurt the team and their inability to field a full team in Schliersee was a major problem. Potsdam, though, will be back. With the likes of Bröcker and Dietzel improving, their depth should also transform into a strength in the coming years.
8th) Mey Post-SV Tübingen – 61 points (no change)
An 11th place in Hannover did little for Tübingen’s aspirations of rising up the standings. As a result, they missed out on matching last season’s final finish of 7th. 8th place, however, reflects a very solid season.
Pia Wolf was their best finisher in Hannover in 23rd. Alina Würth was next home in 37th and Greta Groten finished 42nd.
With finishes of 8th, 7th and 7th in 2023, 2022 and 2021, Tübingen have become a consistent player in the Bundesliga. To take the next step, they will need to find an athlete that can regularly fight for spots in the top-10.
9th) SG Dresdner Spitzen Triathlon Team / LTV Erfurt – 58 points (down 2 places)
Dresden/Erfurt’s season ended on a damp squib as they finished last in Hannover. Anna Heyder finished 48th while Pauline Feußner came home in 51st. Sophie Schumann was the final scorer in 55th.
Still, 2023 was the team’s best year yet. They previous best result was their 11th place from last year. As such they have made clear progress. The fact that they were in contention for a top half finish prior to Hannover speaks volumes of their development and next year they will be an intriguing team to watch.
10th) Triathlon Team DSW Darmstadt – 57 points (no change)
Darmstadt took 7th place in Hannover and were led by a superb performance from Finja Schierl. The youngster took 6th place and was narrowly denied a place in the top-5.
Lucie Kammer also raced well to take 18th and the Junior athlete Johanna Uherek took 36th.
Last year Darmstadt took 9th place overall so they have dropped a little. With a young squad, they will realistically improve going forwards.
11th) Sparda Bank Team Hagen – 53 points (up 1 place)
Hagen ended up in 9th place in Hannover with Margareta Bicanova’s 12th place proving pivotal. Joanna Wozniak and Annabel Morton then finished together in 30th and 31st, respectively.
Although they were some way off their best ever result of 5th (from 2013), Hagen nonetheless improved on their finish of 12th in 2022.
To break into the top-10, they will need to be a little more consistent and someone will need to offer more regular support to Bicanova.
12th) Karlsruher Lemminge – 50 points (down 1 place)
In their first year in the top division, Karlsruhe have looked pretty comfortable.
Hannover did not quite go to plan as they ended up in 14th. At the start of the season, though, the team probably would have snatched 14th place with gratitude.
Valerie Moser led the way in 34th while Claudia Wipfler finished 43rd. Saskia Haug was the next athlete to cross in 53rd.
When the dust settled, Karlsruhe could sit back and enjoy a final result of 12th. They did more than enough to secure their first division status and next year will look to kick on.
13th) Team Bad Orb – Gesund im Spessart – 48 points (no change)
Bad Ord improved on last year’s 14th place overall by taking 13th place this year.
A 12th place in Hannover helped to seal the deal and they were led by Stephanie Weiß in 35th. Isabel Sterr was close behind in 38th and Amelie Hanf followed in 44th.
As with a handful of other teams, Bad Orb would really benefit from adding an athlete that can finish inside the top-10. With a very reliable squad, though, they are well-situated to progress next season.
14th) TSV Amicitia Viernheim – 45 points (no change)
Viernheim very nearly lost it at the last. A 13th place in Hannover just about saved them from a last minute relegation.
Leanna Bissig came 32nd while Kathrin Halter and Helen Scheffold finished 45th and 46th, respectively.
Given that the team finished 5th in 2022, this year will be one to forget. They will no doubt learn from what went wrong and bounce back in 2024 with hopes of returning to the top-6.
15th) SV Würzburg 05 – 45 points (no change)
They almost did it.
Würzburg very nearly achieved what had seemed impossible earlier in the season and pinned back Viernheim. A 10th place in Hannover, though, was not quite enough to save them.
Kim Van T Verlaat had a big race for the team as she took 21st place. Lea Cagol followed in 33rd and Romy Spoelder crossed in 41st place.
In the end, relegation was decided on the thinnest margin imaginable. Viernheim’s total of finishes across the season was 521. Würzburg’s was 524. A couple of higher finishes across the five events would have made all the difference.
Having been promoted in 2021 and finished 13th in 2022, relegation this year will be tough but they will no doubt be back in the coming seasons.
16th) HEIKOTEL Tri Team Hamburg – 36 points (no change)
Hamburg took 15th place in Hannover to confirm their fate.
Jenny Jendryschik had a good race as she finished 20th. Nina Rosenbladt was the next athlete home in 52nd and Tatjana Kortmann took 59th place.
They were promoted in 2022 and so have been relegated at their first attempt. With the experience under their belt, Hamburg will be able to learn and grow from their campaign and can be expected to return in the near future.
