Biathlon World Cup in Austria: Preuß storms into the yellow jersey with his second career victory

Franziska Preuß particularly enjoyed every hug and countless congratulations in the sunshine of Hochfilzen. At the end of an almost endless period of suffering, Germany’s top biathlete beamed with relief. After the sprint, she was happy about the second World Cup victory of her career and the jump to the top of the overall ranking. The 30-year-old, who was once celebrated alongside Laura Dahlmeier as the greatest German talent, had to wait almost six years or exactly 2,154 days for this great success.

“I was just in the flow and I’m super happy,” said the Bavarian after her triumph, with which she also took over the yellow jersey of the World Cup leader for the second time in her career: “I’m very, very happy and also surprised, that one mistake was enough to win.”

After she reached the finish line exhausted, a little later she stood happily among her teammates and was celebrated. Preuß achieved her first and only success in the World Cup on January 20, 2019 at the home game in Ruhpolding. And she dedicated her new success to her brother, who was celebrating his birthday at home. “The medal is for you Flo,” said Preuss.

Preuss wins at a historic location

Preuss could hardly have chosen a more beautiful place than Hochfilzen. Because here her partner Simon Schempp became mass start world champion in 2017, Dahlmeier won five world titles and Benedikt Doll sprint gold. And Preuß can improve in the pursuit on Saturday (12.15 p.m./ZDF and Eurosport), as can the strong fifth-place finisher Selina Grotian (1 error/+30.2 seconds). “I’m not thinking about my pursuer yet, I’m enjoying myself for the first time,” said Preuss, cheering as he climbed onto the top podium at the award ceremony. “That gives new self-confidence,” said Grotian.

Preuß, already third in the mass start at the start of the season in Kontiolahti, relegated the flawless Sophie Chauveau (+7.7 seconds/France) and Karoline Offigstad Knotten (+10.1 seconds/Norway) to their places. She had already feared that she would be out of the race after her only mistake in the standing shooting. “That was a setback and I thought, damn it, that won’t be enough today,” reported Preuss. But she also delivered a strong performance on the cross-country ski trail and was finally rewarded.

Finally fit for the whole season after surgery?

This summer, the oldest member of the German women’s team underwent surgery on her sinuses in order to finally bring stability to her fragile health. That seems to be paying off so far. Because Preuß was hit with it more often than almost anyone else in her career. She almost never made it through a season healthy, which has probably cost the Bavarian numerous other successes so far. She also arrived at the World Championships in Nove Mesto in the spring as the number one German medal candidate, but once again came away empty-handed.

“I would have liked to have avoided a lot of suffering. The decision to have the procedure done and to get rid of a source of inflammation was simply the key,” said Preuß in Tyrol. She spent the whole summer “just practicing her own thing and making few compromises.” “I listened to my experience. I know what’s good for me, and I tried to implement that,” said Preuß: “Now you’re being rewarded for all your hard work in the summer. It’s nice when it’s confirmed like that.”

Preuß is not yet in top form

The coaches, who had to go through tough times with Preuß, were particularly happy about their return to the top. “We’ve seen for many years what potential she has,” said women’s head coach Kristian Mehringer – and still sees room for improvement: “She’s not in top form yet, she doesn’t have to be, but rather towards the World Cup. Getting there we’re working now.”

At the season’s highlight in Lenzerheide, Switzerland next February, Preuß finally wants to win an individual medal again. She had only achieved this at the 2015 World Championships with silver in the mass start; she also won her only relay gold in Kontiolahti. “She is currently in her prime and remains calm even in difficult situations,” said Mehringer about his top athlete. That is the key to further success.

Vanessa Voigt (27) came twelfth in Tyrol, Julia Tannheimer (19) came in 29th. And Marlene Fichtner (21) also made it into the hunting race in her World Cup debut in 46th place, as did Julia Kink (40th).