It wasn’t long ago that biathlete Franziska Preuß was considering retirement. But this winter it is more stable than ever. Her success is based on a new physical awareness – and at the same time inspires her teammates.
It was a scripted ending to this World Cup weekend in Hochfilzen. With the German flag in her hand, Franziska Preuß ran the last few meters almost carelessly to the finish and fell into the arms of her cheering teammates. Previously, she had given the German biathletes their first relay victory in what felt like an eternity with an outstanding performance at the shooting range and on the cross-country ski trail.
1,429 days had passed since the last German team success on January 16, 2021 in Oberhof. 1,429 days in which Preuss experienced highs, but above all lows. Moments in which the end of a career was even on the cards. At the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022, she was not in full possession of her strength after a corona infection. A year later she had to end the season early due to persistent health problems and also missed the home World Cup in Oberhof.
Preuss and the missed opportunities
Everything was supposed to get better last season, but after a new corona infection she lost the yellow jersey without a fight after a strong start. She also arrived at the World Championships in Nove Mesto in the spring as the number one German medal candidate, but came away empty-handed – once again. In March, Preuss pulled the ripcord again and ended the season prematurely. This was accompanied by the decision that something had to change. Preuß decided to have an operation on his sinuses in order to be less vulnerable in the future – with success.
At the World Cup opener in Kontiolahti, she gave a foretaste of her strong early form this winter with fifth, fourth and third places in the individual races. Almost more important: Preuß also survived a mild infection that prevented her from taking part in the first season without any after-effects. There is no other explanation for their achievements in Hochfilzen. In the sprint, she celebrated her second World Cup victory after several attempts – despite a missed shot. The 30-year-old, who was once considered the greatest German biathlon talent alongside Laura Dahlmeier, had to wait almost five years for this.
“I listened to my experience”
“I would have liked to have given up a lot of suffering. The decision to have the procedure done and remove a source of inflammation was simply the key“said Preuß in Hochfilzen. You have the whole summer”simply practiced her own thing and made few compromises“. “I listened to my experience. I know what’s good for me, and I tried to implement it” she said: “Now you’re rewarded for all your hard work over the summer.“
Above all, Preuß has impressed across the board in the last few weeks when it comes to running. Her “really good legs“, as she noted after the sprint victory, not only helped her get the yellow jersey, but also gave her further self-confidence. In the pursuit of Hochfilzen, she also made it onto the podium – and also inspired her teammates with her achievements: Vanessa Voigt came second in the pursuit, a day later the two with the young Selina Grotian (20) and Julia Tannheimer (19) won the relay.
Preuß is leading the way in the German team
Preuß has been the driving force in the German team since Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick retired. She has been impressing for a long time – when her body allowed it – not only with her consistent performance on the cross-country ski trails and at the shooting range, but also as a mental support for the young athletes in the German team. The seven-time World Cup medalist can now look back on 253 World Cup starts and knows exactly what it’s like to go into a race under pressure – for example with the yellow jersey on her body.
It didn’t give you wings, but ultimately it was “just as hard as with normal number“, said Preuß with a laugh after her third place in the pursuit. She was simply trying to ““I don’t look down so often so I don’t have it in my head.” It seems as if Franziska Preuß has found exactly the right mix of lightness, consistency and health stability to have a serious say in the World Cup medals and the overall World Cup this winter.
In top shape for a World Cup medal?
There is no other way to interpret the words of women’s head coach Kristian Mehringer, who even sees potential for improvement in her. “She is currently in her prime and remains calm even in difficult situations. We have seen for many years what potential it has. She’s not in top shape yet, she doesn’t have to be, but rather towards the World Cup. We will work on that now.“
At the highlight of the season in February in Lenzerheide (Switzerland), Preuß will be aiming for his second individual medal at the World Championships. She last achieved this in Kontiolahti in 2015 with silver in the mass start. The foundation has been laid with the strong start to the season. Now the most important thing for Preuß is to stay injury-free and healthy. Also to continue to be a driving force in the young but very talented German women’s team. After all, it shouldn’t take another 1,429 days until the next relay victory.