Arnd and Benita Peiffer: the story of a special biathlon family

Berlin , Benita Pfeffer does not dare to do a complete interview in German. “I’d prefer it in English,” says the Canadian, smiling friendly in the bitter cold of Ostersund. Unnoticed by the public, the 21-year-old has just made his World Cup debut, although his last name is a very common name in the biathlon scene. peefer? Absolutely!

regular contact between the two peiffers

“We have the same great-grandfathers,” says Arndt Pfeiffer. The German Olympic champion does not know exactly how the relationship is called. “Maybe third cousin?” Arand and Banita Peifer’s grandparents were cousins; Banita’s grandparents had once moved to Canada. “We have met several times. There is regular contact,” says Arnd Pfeffer. He was also in Sweden last week. Although the 34-year-old ended his career last season, ARD for the first time since racing in stersund He has appeared in front of the camera in a new role as a TV expert for .

“I wish her all the best,” the former world champion said of Benita, who entered the Olympic winter with places 104, 107 and 87. “I’m still very nervous before the race,” she says. She actually started out as a cross-country skier, but later couldn’t find a trainer and switched to ski hunting. “I really can’t handle the pressure yet.” But he also gets suggestions from his family. Banita says, “Arand is my role model and he always helps me.” We write to each other, exchange ideas.

She would love to emulate her “cousin”, as Banita herself repeatedly says, in the context of sports at some point. “Some World Cup victories and Olympic medals would be great,” says the Canadian, who was persuaded to have a short conversation in German on German television. Arnd Peiffer did not stand far and watched the conversation closely.

Although young Banita regrets that the two missed each other at the World Cup by a year, veteran Peifer does not regret the end of her career a year before the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. “The feeling of a good race is accustomed, and that is missing. But I have more to it. Less pressure, less time in the summer, less torture,” said the ten-time World Cup winner.

Peifer called her first days at her new job on television “long and exciting”: “It was definitely exciting to see all the process. It’s definitely something completely new to me.” The sprint gold winner was happy to see many old friends in Sweden again. “But it’s also nice that it’s not every weekend,” Pfeffer says. He won’t be at every World Cup long, instead he’s with his family. Will spend a lot of time with.” This is a remedy that is absolutely great. I’m sticking to it a little bit,” Pfeffer says.

Lower Saxons have to get used to their new role

Now the Lower Saxons have to make a habit of keeping a serious eye on their long-term peers from time to time. “I try to be very factual, so that’s fine. I look forward to their response,” Pfeffer says: “Of course, you see exactly what I’m doing. If I make a wrong formulation or mistake I am, then they will put it on my bread.”

“Initially to be in top form, to be there and compete with others,” he says, remembers it a bit and then evaluates realistically: “But that’s no longer possible. Once you If you stop, you’ll never get back to that level. But that’s okay too.” And for now, Peiffer’s name won’t be completely missing from the results list.