World Cup in Östersund
Mega comeback: Biathlete Preuß narrowly missed out on victory
Biathlete Franziska Preuß (l) celebrates her second place in Östzersund. photo
© Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency/AP/dpa
Franziska Preuß was at the bottom and was thinking about resigning. But now she is back at the top of the world. Two other biathletes are also starting the winter strong.
Enjoyed after her amazing comeback Franziska Preuß had the long-missed feeling on the winner’s podium, smiling happily to the fullest.
The biathlete, who was repeatedly plagued by health setbacks, was able to come second in the first individual race of the season, missing out on victory against the Italian Lisa Vittozzi by just 0.1 seconds and thus the first yellow jersey for a German in more than six and a half years given their history of suffering.
Motivation boost for DSV women’s team
“It’s a shame, I’ve never been this close. But I’m not giving up, it’s just starting now and I’m just relieved,” said the 29-year-old after the difficult 15 kilometers in frosty Östersund. She had to cancel the previous season in January and also missed the home World Cup in Oberhof. After that came another medical marathon including thoughts of resignation – now she is back at the top of the world.
Preuß (0 errors), who was only promoted to the World Cup team by a coach’s decision, and Vanessa Voigt in third place (0 errors/+ 10.1 seconds) and Sophia Schneider in fifth place (1 error/+ 1:01.0 minutes) took care of that Resignation of Denise Herrmann-Wick (34) for the hoped-for boost in motivation in the DSV women’s team. The Olympic champion and world champion secured all the individual World Cup podiums in the previous season with three victories and two third places. “It was a great race and, above all, outstanding shooting. I’m very happy about that. Keep it up,” said Herrmann-Wick (34) to the German Press Agency.
Especially for Preuß, who is supported by her friend and former world champion Simon Schempp, it could finally be the starting signal for a better time. In the past, the Bavarian, who was once considered as talented as Laura Dahlmeier – the last German in yellow – had to worry more about her health than her career. Such a performance was unthinkable two weeks ago during the test races in Sjusjoen, Norway. There was Preuß, who had previously had to deal with a cold, far away from the competition. She had to “digest that for two or three days”. It was also a new experience that she joined the team for the first time only through the coach’s decision.
Voigt and Schneider show their potential
“The last few weeks haven’t been so easy. That’s why I’m super proud of myself. A thousand weights have fallen off my heart. I hope that it continues like this,” said Preuß. After her final shooting, she went into the final lap with a smile, but was just barely able to maintain her twelve second lead over the strong running Vittozzi. If things continue like this, her second World Cup victory after the mass start in Ruhpolding at home on January 20, 2019 will only be a matter of time.
Voigt and Schneider also showed their potential. “I surprised myself a bit today, but the race scheduling wasn’t optimal,” said Voigt (26), self-critically as usual. Young hopeful Selina Grotian (19) only finished 77th after seven errors.