Biathlon: Selina Grotian ahead of Franziska Preuß - German double victory in Annecy

Biathlon: Selina Grotian ahead of Franziska Preuß - German double victory in Annecy

Only two Germans started in the mass start of Annecy on Sunday, and they came in first and second place. Selina Grotian won ahead of Franziska Preuß. Vanessa Voigt, who secured third in the pursuit the previous day, had to withdraw from the race due to health issues.

Grotian celebrated her first career win in the biathlon mass start at Annecy-Le Grand Bornand. After 12.5 kilometers, the 20-year-old had a 12.7-second lead over Preuß, despite Grotian making a shooting error unlike the pursuit winner. The third place was claimed by Slovak Paulina Batovska Fialkova, who finished with three penalty rounds, followed closely by French Jeanne Richard, who incurred a penalty as well.

In the interview after the race, Grotian expressed her disbelief at her victory, stating, "I have no words, it’s unbelievable." She had experienced setbacks previously, including equipment issues in the pursuit. Reflecting on her expectations, she said, "I went into the race without expectations today. It was perfect."

Preuß also made significant progress on the shooting range, gaining positions throughout the race despite initially struggling with the snowy conditions. She acknowledged her satisfaction with her shooting performance but described the race as one of her toughest. “It was a horrific race; I could barely navigate the corners during the descents,” she noted.

Despite the challenges, both Grotian and Preuß demonstrated remarkable determination and skill, giving the German team a festive celebration just before the Christmas break.

In other news, Vanessa Voigt's absence was regrettable due to her health concerns. Team doctor Katharina Blume shared that the decision to skip the mass start was made to prioritize Voigt's health.