Biathlon World Championships: Preuß’s Dream Comes True

Franziska Preuß delivered an outstanding performance in the pursuit race at the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. In a display of precision and composure, the 30-year-old German athlete hit all of her 20 shots without error, finishing with a 39-second advantage over Sweden’s Elvira Öberg and a 40-second gap on France’s sprint world champion Justine-Braisaz Bouchet.

Preuß’s flawless shooting helped her build a 50-second lead going into the final shooting stage, a margin that allowed her to enjoy the concluding round without pressure. Reflecting on her victory, she expressed that a dream she had long cherished was finally coming true, especially after years of finishing between fourth and tenth place. Her performance not only completed her medal collection but also reinvigorated her belief after near misses in previous championships.

Her achievement was met with praise from biathlon legends. German biathlon icon Laura Dahlmeier lauded Preuß for her secure and rapid shooting, as well as for managing the race so effectively, attributes that are essential in the pursuit event. Denise Herrmann-Wick also commented on Preuß’s refined strategy, highlighting her shift from earlier tendencies and underlining that her error-free prone shootings were pivotal in overtaking her rivals. Preuß encapsulated her strategy by emphasizing that she prioritized safety at the shooting range, a choice that allowed her to remain calm under pressure even in the final solitary shooting round.