Franziska Preuß has to fit in the biathlon relay at short notice. Sophia Schneider runs as the final runner for them. The representative saves the DSV quartet a World Cup medal.
The German biathletes won bronze in the relay at the World Championships in Nove Mesto, securing the German team their third medal.
Despite the short-term absence of the ill final runner Franziska Preuß (29), Janina Hettich-Walz (27), World Cup debutant Selina Grotian (19), Vanessa Voigt (26) and the late nominee Sophia Schneider (26) celebrated this success somewhat surprisingly.
A year after taking silver at the home World Championships in Oberhof, the DSV quartet had nine spares and were only beaten by France and Sweden. At the finish the gap was 1:14.2 minutes. Silver was enough at the previous three World Championships, and fourth place in Östersund in 2019.
Preuss also questionable for mass start
Two and a half hours before the start of the race, the German Ski Association informed about Preuß’ failure. It remains to be seen whether the 29-year-old, who is suffering from a “new sore throat”, will be able to compete in the mass start on Sunday (2.15 p.m./ZDF and Eurosport). “Losing Franzi always hurts us. Everyone knows the value and how good she can be,” said sports director Felix Bitterling before the start of the race on ZDF.
Schneider stepped in and led the team from fifth to third place, although individual runner-up Hettich-Walz in particular had problems on the cross-country ski trail. “For me it was a combination of everything,” said the starting runner. “There were places where it was sulky. I really struggled with my skis and then I didn’t have the best day either. I don’t have any words right now.” When catching up, the DSV quartet also benefited from the competition’s mistakes at the shooting range.
Source: Stern
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