In an interview with the DTU (German Triathlon Union), new Germany head coach Thomas Moeller explained that his approach for the remainder of the Olympic qualification period will be to prioritise the qualification of athletes for the individual race at the Paris Olympic Games over the Mixed Team Relay.
Ahead of the 2020(1) Tokyo Olympics, Germany held a specific trial to determine the recipient of the relay slots. This came after the relay earned the team two male and two female slots which the country would not have otherwise earned.
The qualification event took place in Kienbaum and saw Anabel Knoll and Justus Nieschlag earn their place on the Olympic team.
As things stand, Germany is due to qualify a relay in Paris.
Moeller’s aspiration, though, is to qualify three women and three men via the individual qualification rankings. To do this, a number of athletes will need to have strong seasons this year to cement their status.
If the Olympic qualifying slots were to be handed out today, Germany would qualify three women. The relay would see two women earn slots but such is the strength of the German team the women would not need it. Laura Lindemann and Lena Meißner are the two highest ranked German women and are in the top-10 of the world rankings. Meanwhile Lisa Tertsch has enough points to earn an additional Olympic slot.
Moreover, with Marlene Gomez-Goggel and Annika Koch also in the top-30 of the Olympic qualification rankings, the German women are primed to qualify three athletes for Paris.
By contrast, the men are in line to qualify two slots. This is because the current third best man, Johannes Vogel, is 31st in the Olympic qualification rankings. For a country to earn a third slot, they must have three athletes in the top-30.
Lasse Lührs and Jonas Schomburg are fairly safe in the top-30 and could qualify via the relay or individually.
After Vogel, though, there is a gap to the next German men. Lasse Nygaard Priester is ranked 80th. Jannick Schauffler is ranked 91st. Furthermore Valentin Wernz and Tim Hellwig are only just inside the top-100.
There are a number of talented German triathletes, however the challenge will be for one of them to string together the consistency shown by the likes of Lührs.
If Vogel, or another German man, can earn the points to break into the top-30 in the Olympic rankings, Germany will be able to take the third man. Beyond Vogel, though, it may be a challenge to do so.
Qualifying a third man and woman would cement Germany’s status as a powerhouse in the sport. It will also provide greater flexibility to the relay in Paris.
2022 was a brilliant season for Germany with four athletes winning WTCS medals. As such, Moeller’s hopes are not unfounded.
The only question is whether prioritising the Olympic distance could hinder the country’s success in the relay.
