Before the all -important showdown, Franziska Preuss got energy and encouragement again for a short time. Because Germany’s best biathlete has only 20 points ahead of the yellow jersey.
At the season finale from next Friday on the legendary Holmenkollen, the 31-year-old has to get everything out of herself, especially mentally, in addition to her last strength reserves so as not to lose the fight against her permanent rival Lou JeanMonnot at the last few meters.
“I still have the small advantage. I just do my best, you can’t do more anyway,” said the persecution world champion after fifth place in the mass start of Pokljuka.
With a view of her big dream of winning the large crystal ball for the first time, Prussia waived an assignment in the mixed relays and traveled to the individual race for Ruhpolding before going to Oslo on Monday evening.
“We discussed that. With her, the full concentration is on the overall World Cup. The season is long, so it makes sense to give her regeneration time again,” said sports director Felix Bitterling.
Biathlon: exciting duel until the end
In difficult conditions, the 31-year-old, who had previously become a third party in Slovenia, won her 14th top five result in the 18th race of the season. But because the French woman celebrated her seventh win of the season, the lead on JeanMonnot shrank.
“I think we both make a great season. And no matter how it goes out, we can still be proud of what we have already done,” said Preuss. Thus, in the next week in Norway’s capital in the three outstanding races with sprint, persecution and mass start, a duel that is hardly to be overbidden in tension.
Preuss has been in the yellow jersey since December 13, but could now run the risk of losing everything shortly before the finish. If JeanMonnot wins the sprint next Friday, she already grabs the coveted loaf in a third place from Prussia.
Ex-team colleague believes in Prussia
According to Martina Glagow (2002/03), Kati Wilhelm (2005/06), Andrea Henkel (2006/07), Magdalena Neuner (2007/08, 2009/10 and 2011/12) and Laura Dahlmeier (2016/17), the sixth German becomes the best ski hunter of a whole season.
“Everything is still in there. She has everything you can bring for the overall World Cup,” said Olympic champion and “ZDF” expert Denise Herrmann-Wick. “She knows what it is about. I have the feeling that she has it very well under control.” But it is also clear: Now you can no longer afford dropouts.
“Every point counts, I can’t actually accuse anything of anything,” said Preuss after the start of the mass, which was a “challenge” in the adverse conditions. It was an absolute world -class performance for Bitterling.
Further crystal balls are possible for Prussia
For Prussia, the end of the season is two more crystal balls. In the sprint, however, she has only seven points ahead of the French world champion Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, in mass start 41 to the Swede Elvira Öberg.
But the red jerseys for the discipline ratings would definitely give Prussia to celebrate their greatest sporting success to celebrate their greatest sporting success at the end of the season in front of tens of thousands of fans at the cradle of Nordic skiing in yellow.