The German biathletes will continue in the new year where they left off in the previous year. Sprint victory for the men, second place for the women – things couldn’t be better in Oberhof, one would think. The icing on the cake is still missing. This is exactly what the focus is on persecution.
As Franziska Preuß crosses the finish line in a sprint from Oberhof, the number one lights up on the LED walls in the stadium. 12,000 spectators go wild – after a perfect race, at least at the shooting range, the 29-year-old is in the lead in the home World Cup. People high-five each other in the stands, and shortly afterwards the first smile flashes across Preuss’s face.
“The time has come” Coaches and teammates will have thought – “Franzi finally rewards herself for her strong season so far and gets her first win.” But hope doesn’t last long – just minutes later, overall World Cup leader Justine Braisaz-Bouchet literally flies to the finish. And again the number one lights up on the screens of the Arena am Rennsteig. “I thought on the last lap: Maybe I could win today.”, Franziska Preuß looks back. But no, she was supposed to remain “only” second winner on this Friday afternoon.
Preuss has already narrowly missed out on victories twice this winter. In the pursuit of Östersund in December she was only 0.3 seconds short of triumph. However, the tip of the iceberg had already been reached a few days earlier: the sprint in Sweden ended dramatically. The gap to the winner was 0.1 seconds. So it’s clear again: Lisa Vittozzi from Italy was a tenth short of the best Germans. In the Oberhof sprint, Preuß was now 4.4 seconds slower than Braisaz-Bouchet.
“I’m relieved”
After the first race at the home World Cup in Oberhof, the Bavarian is a woman in demand. She has to give umpteen interviews in the so-called mixed zone – and she is pestered more than once: “Are you happy about second place or are you disappointed that you weren’t able to win?“She always smiles in a friendly way.”I am very relieved“, reports the Olympic bronze medalist. “I didn’t feel that fresh today when it came to my legs. I’m pleasantly surprised because I trained the basics and strength endurance again over Christmas. Then I notice a little bit that the final liveliness isn’t there yet. But I hope it comes from race to race when the engine starts again.“
In the pursuit it could work for the first time
So hope and confidence in a quick jump to the top podium are definitely justified. According to her own statement, the 29-year-old is still working on her form – so even more can be expected from her in terms of running. In the other discipline, to stay in Preuß’s word-painting image, the engine is already purring. Flawless and fast – shooting like the one in the Oberhof sprint makes an impression – even on the competition. Since the four-leg pursuit is a shooting-heavy competition, something could go to the top in front of the home crowd. “It’s a good starting position” says Preuss and follows up. “I’m motivated by not making things so easy for Justine.“
Franziska Preuß radiates fun and self-confidence. And that is not a given. She was also hit by illnesses this winter, won the yellow jersey after a fantastic start to the season – and then quickly had to give it up again. Corona paralyzed them. In Lenzerheide before the turn of the year, she already showed with two top ten results that she is a force to be reckoned with despite all the adversities. She has now taken the next step in the Oberhof sprint. Actually only one is missing. “Full attack forward”, Franziska Preuß sets the direction for the persecution. Maybe the long-awaited icing on the cake will be achieved.