biathlon
Women’s World Cup relay without Preuß – Schneider final runner
Schneider replaces Preuß, who is ill, in the squadron. photo
© Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
Biathlete Franziska Preuß has to pass at short notice. She ‘s sick. The World Cup mass start is also in danger for them.
In the fight for a World Cup medal in the relay, the German biathletes have to finish last at short notice Franziska Preuß forego.
The 29-year-old is suffering from a “new sore throat,” as the German Ski Association announced a few hours before the start of the race (1:45 p.m./ZDF and Eurosport). Sophia Schneider (26) steps in for Preuß, who has not been able to convince at the World Championships in Nove Mesto with 28th place in the sprint and 37th place in the pursuit. It is her first appearance as a runner.
For Preuß, who has repeatedly struggled with health problems, participation in the mass start on Sunday (2:15 p.m.) is also questionable. “We will use today to ensure the best possible regeneration, also to maintain a small chance of starting the mass start,” said team doctor Jan Wüstenfeld.
The failure is another setback for the Bavarian. At the beginning of the season she wore the yellow jersey after two second places and took the next podium place in Oberhof and traveled to the Czech Republic as Germany’s greatest hope for a medal. But there were no more than two sixth places in the sprint and pursuit as well as 15th place in the individual and fifth place in the mixed relay.
Preuß had completely missed the home World Cup in Oberhof last year because she ended the season prematurely after renewed health problems. Even in previous years, she had never made it through a season completely healthy and had already had thoughts of retiring at times.