Biathlon in Hochfilzen: Franziska Preuß has a Dream Day

Published on: December 13, 2024 15:31

Franziska Preuß had a stunning victory in Hochfilzen, confirming her potential in the Biathlon World Cup. After narrowly missing the podium in Kontiolahti, the Oberbayerin powered her way to the top amid a cheering crowd.

In her first round, Preuß showcased impressive speed and shot perfectly in the prone position, finishing the first round with a 5.4-second lead over Italy’s Dorothea Wierer. However, Wierer faltered with a poor second shooting round that led her into the penalty loop. Despite Preuß also missing a shot during the standings round, she fought hard on the course to close the gap on Sophie Chauveau, who shot cleanly but faced increasing pressure from Preuß.

Ultimately, Preuß crossed the finish line with a 7.7-second lead over Chauveau, while the Norwegian Karoline Offigstad Knotten secured the third spot also shooting cleanly. "I felt good from the start. It is fantastic to win today," Preuß stated in an interview after her victory.

This victory marked only her second in a decade-long career, showcasing her determination and resilience in the face of tough competition. With the win, she claimed the coveted yellow bib from Sweden's Elvira Öberg, who struggled greatly in Hochfilzen with four penalty laps.

Selina Grotian also had a remarkable day, finishing fifth after a stellar performance. She too secured her spot for the upcoming World Championships, indicating strong performances from the young biathletes of the German team.