Andreas Birnbacher

Born on 11 September 1981, Prien am Chiemsee, Bavaria, Germany, Andreas 'Andi' Birnbacher is a former biathlete. He made his World Cup debut on 18 January 2001. Birnbacher participated in 9 World Championships during his career, from which he won 6 medals - one gold in the mixed relay, one silver in the 15 km mass start and 4 bronze with the relay and mixed relay. His best individual performance, excluding the silver medal in the mass start at the 2007 World Championships in Antholz-Anterselva, is a 4th place in the 20 km Individual in the World Championships in 2012, held in his hometown, Ruhpolding. He was also 4th in the mass start at those World Championships. It shouldn't be forgotten also Birnbacher's great performance at the 2011 World Championships in Khanty-Mansiysk. He didn't win any medals but was 8th in the Individual, 6th in the sprint, 5th in the pursuit and 16th in the mass start. The 2016 World Championships in Holmenkollen were the last in his career and Andi made a wonderful 9th position in the 20 km Individual. He didn't compete in any other disciplines. Birnbacher participated in two Winter Olympic Games in his career. In Vancouver in 2010 he finished 12th in the Individual, 23rd in the sprint, 13th in the pursuit, 15th in the mass start and 5th with the relay team. He couldn't achieve the same four years later in Sochi in 2014. Birnbacher raced only in the Individual and positioned 22nd. Andi Birnbacher has 6 individual World Cup victories in his record. The first one was on 17 March 2011, he won the 10 km sprint in Holmenkollen. Birnbacher's star shined very bright during his most successful and memorable season - the 2011-2012. On 17 December 2011 he won the 12.5 km pursuit in Hochfilzen. After Christmas break, when the World Cup returned, Birnbacher showed his preference for the 15 km mass start discipline. He won the mass start in Oberhof and Antholz-Anterselva. In Holmenkollen however he finished 2nd in that particular race discipline. The season concluded at number 3 in the overall and tightly holding the small crystal globe for the mass start in his hands. During the following season 2012-2013, Birnbacher made two more victories. He won the 10 km sprint in Hochfilzen and next week, the mass start in Pokljuka. He came also twice second in the Individual in Sochi and in the pursuit in Östersund. And once a 3rd place in the sprint in Khanty-Mansiysk. The season was over and Birnbacher was 5th in the overall and came 2nd in the Individual overall. Since then, he managed once coming 3rd in the sprint in Hochfilzen in the 2013-2014. On 10 March 2016, Andreas Birnbacher announced his retirement.