World Cup on the Pokljuka: Biathlete Preuss in the overall World Cup only just ahead

Biathlete Franziska Preuss had to accept a small setback in the fight for the overall World Cup. The 31-year-old ran fifth in the mass start of Pokljuka, while her worst rival Lou JeanMonnot celebrated her seventh win of the season. The French woman shortened her gap to Prussia in the fight for the yellow jersey to just 20 points.

“I can be satisfied with two mistakes with fifth place, the last mistake is annoyed,” said Preuss on ZDF. “It was really slow on the group, but it is the same for everyone. But there are also material differences, it was a tough race.”

Thus, in the coming week at the season finale in Oslo, the duel that is still outstanding in the three races that are still outstanding will hardly be overflowing. Preuss has been in the yellow jersey since December 13, but could now run the risk of falling behind shortly before the end of the season.

Almost perfect race of the competitor

After third place in the shortened individual, Preuss was 54.6 seconds behind the winner after two penalty rounds. After 12.5 kilometers, the error -free Bulgaria Milena Todorowa (+ 16.4 seconds) was second. The former long runner Anamarija Lampic from Slovenia also caused a surprise (1 error/+ 22.8 seconds).

Selina Grotian, alongside Preuss, the second German in the field of the 30 starters, came to the finish after three mistakes (+ 1: 08.5 minutes).

It had rained until shortly before the start before snow. In the difficult conditions, Preuss had to go to the penalty round after the first lying shooting, while her main competitor Lou JeanMonnot led the field confidently and gradually expanded her leadership.

Prussia, in the meantime 20th, came to the French after the third shooting up to 23.3 seconds. At the decisive fourth shooting, however, JeanMonnot stayed without a mistake, while Prussia had to go back to the penalty. But at the final round, the persecution world champion made some places well and thus collected important points.

“This is a fight at a very high level, it will remain exciting to the end and that will also cost us nerves,” said Olympic champion and ZDF expert Denise Herrmann-Wick.