Seven German biathletes have been nominated for the first individual race. They hope to make amends after the botched start to the season.
After a disappointing start to the season, the German biathletes have the chance to make amends on Tuesday (December 2, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. in the live ticker): After the relay, which the quartet around Franziska Preuß finished in eleventh place, the women continue with the first individual race of the season in Östersund.
Preuß gives women seventh starting place
In addition to Preuß, Vanessa Voigt, Selina Grotian, Julia Tannheimer, Marlene Fichtner, Janina Hettich-Walz and Anna Weidel are also starting for the DSV. Because Preuß won the overall World Cup last season, the DSV was able to nominate seven athletes instead of the usual six.
Preuß goes into the individual race without any pressure
The main focus of the large team this year will be Preuss, after she fulfilled her ball dream last winter. But she didn’t want to go crazy before the start. “Anything that could be added this year is definitely an encore for me“said Preuß calmly. She doesn’t have to worry about anyone anymore “to prove something, especially to myself.”
Last season she duel with her long-term rival Lou Jeanmonnot for long stretches – and in contrast to Preuß, the Frenchwoman got off to a good start in the biathlon winter. She led first the women’s and then the mixed relay to World Cup victory. For Preuß, however, the start went well “just bad, it kind of backfired.”
Sports director Bitterling: “We have to wake up”
Despite the mixed German performance in the women’s relay, sports director Felix Bitterling remains positive: “I think the foundation is there, that was clear, but we have to wake up a little here and there, sort ourselves out a little.“
The team has a long season ahead of them: “The world can look significantly different after the end of the second week in Östersund”he emphasized. Bitterling thinks “that we will still play a very good role over the next few weeks and this season”. Preuß and Co. have their next chance to play a good role on Tuesday.