World Cup
Biathlete Preuß finished eleventh in the pursuit
Franziska Preuß is not yet at 100 percent after her forced break. But the Bavarian is slowly getting going in the Olympic biathlete season.
Biathlete Franziska Preuß boosted her self-confidence on the way to the Winter Games with a good pursuit race. In the second race after her compulsory break, the overall World Cup winner in Le Grand-Bornand was the best German in eleventh place and thus cracked half the Olympic standard. The 31-year-old, who was infected with corona and flu, cleared all 20 targets and improved by seven positions after the sprint.
“It was tough, but in the end I’m quite satisfied,” said Preuß on ZDF. Four zeros at the shooting range counted the most for her because “when you notice that you can’t get any seconds on the track, then shooting sometimes requires more pressure. I was able to ignore that well.” Only three ski hunters remained clear in the 60-strong field.
Preuß can’t keep up with the running due to the break, and the material wasn’t the best this time either. “The stress and lactate tolerance is not really there yet. It’s okay for the current level, but there definitely needs to be more.”
Prussia also in the mass start – French celebrate home victory
Preuß will now also start in the final mass start on Sunday (12.15 p.m./ZDF and Eurosport) as 26th on the seeding list. “I’m happy that I’m taking part in the mass start,” said Preuss. In addition to her, Vanessa Voigt and Anna Weidel are also in the race for the top 30.
Her second success of the season was secured by Frenchwoman Lou Jeanmonnot, who was 30.2 seconds ahead of the flawless Finnish Suvi Minkkinen after a penalty loop. The Italian Dorothea Wierer came third (1/+ 32.7 seconds).
Anna Weidel (1 mistake) came 14th, Janina Hettich-Walz (2) finished in 18th place with the fourth fastest running time. Vanessa Voigt (1) crossed the finish line in 20th place, Julia Tannheimer (4) in 30th place. Julia Kink (4) finished the race in 42nd place.
dpa
