Selina Grotian and Franziska Preuß achieved a double podium finish for Germany in the sprint event at Antholz, placing second and third respectively, while French competitor Lou Jeanmonnot claimed victory. Grotian, a rising star, expressed her joy over her performance, while Preuß reflected on achieving her goal of podium placement. Despite challenges faced by other athletes, Dorothea Wierer marked a strong return, finishing fourth. The event underscored the competitiveness leading up to the Biathlon World Championships.
Selina Grotian and Franziska Preuß showcased impeccable performances at the shooting range, contributing to another remarkable achievement for the DSV with a double podium finish in the sprint event held in Antholz. The only athlete to surpass the two Germans was the talented French competitor, Lou Jeanmonnot.
In the final sprint before the highly anticipated Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide, the two German athletes clinched top positions, solidifying their status among the favorites. Selina Grotian (from Mittenwald) and Franziska Preuß (from Haag) both hit all their targets, securing second and third place, respectively, for a German ‘double podium’ finish.
Selina Grotian Emerges as a World Championship Contender
Selina Grotian, who previously triumphed in the mass start event in Le Grand Bornand earlier this winter, displayed remarkable skill and determination, earning her place among the world’s elite athletes. The 20-year-old from SC Mittenwald is now considered a serious contender for the upcoming World Championships.
Franziska Preuß, already regarded as a strong competitor, reaffirmed her exceptional form in Antholz. The 30-year-old from SC Haag maintained her lead in the overall World Cup standings (ahead of Jeanmonnot) while also holding her position in the World Cup sprint rankings with her impressive third-place finish.
Grotian Expresses Joy: ‘Couldn’t Be Happier’
‘It couldn’t be more beautiful,’ Grotian exclaimed to ARD, radiating joy. ‘I always seem to be at my best when others struggle. I think that’s fantastic.’
This marks the second time this winter that two Germans have occupied the podium together. With the World Championships approaching, this success is particularly encouraging. Lou Jeanmonnot was the only athlete to finish ahead of the DSV duo, demonstrating her flawless shooting while gaining precious seconds on the course, finishing with a lead of 7.2 seconds over Grotian and 16.7 seconds ahead of Preuß.
Franziska Preuß Reflects: ‘Goal Achieved’
In a post-race interview with ARD, Preuß admitted to feeling anxious during her warm-up about potentially running out of energy, a worry that proved unfounded. ‘I was pleasantly surprised,’ Preuß noted. ‘When a race unfolds like this, it inspires you to tap into reserves you didn’t think you had.’
Preuß also shared with ZDF: ‘My aim was to finish on the podium in Antholz, as I hadn’t done that before. So, mission accomplished.’
Winner Jeanmonnot remained composed after securing her fifth victory of the season, stating, ‘I’ve had some strong sprints, but my main focus today was to shoot clean.’ She expressed confidence in Preuß’s ability to maintain her lead in the overall standings, commenting, ‘Franzi is incredibly strong; she seems untouchable.’
Dorothea Wierer Makes a Strong Return
Other contenders, such as French biathlete Julia Simon (0 shooting errors/+ 38.0 seconds) and Sweden’s Hanna Öberg (1/+ 57.5), faced challenges on the revamped South Tyrolean course. However, Italian Dorothea Wierer made a timely return to form, finishing fourth (1/+28.0) just ahead of the season’s highlight.
A total of four DSV female biathletes competed in Antholz. Sophia Schneider (Teisendorf/2/+ 1:41.1 minutes) and Stefanie Scherer (Warngau/1/+2:16.1) did not meet expectations, ultimately finishing in 28th and 54th places, respectively.
Stay updated with the biathlon calendar featuring all dates from the World Cup kickoff in Kontiolahti through to the World Championships in Lenzerheide and the season finale in Oslo.
The sprint race in Antholz concluded with French biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot taking the victory, followed by Selina Grotian and Franziska Preuß. A comprehensive summary of the event highlights.
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