Biathlon mass start in Annecy: Preuß, Voigt and Weidel charge into the top 10

The women’s 12.5 km mass start at the Biathlon World Cup in Annecy–Le Grand-Bornand came down to a dramatic final sprint. Germany’s Franziska Preuß, recently back from a bout of illness, delivered a strong performance to finish sixth and secure her Olympic qualification. Teammates Vanessa Voigt and Anna Weidel also impressed, placing seventh and tenth respectively.

At the front, Norway’s Maren Kirkeeide narrowly outsprinted French favorites Lou Jeanmonnot and Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet to take the victory. Earlier, Preuß overcame an early pole break, quickly received a replacement, and rejoined the race. She, Voigt, and Weidel all cleared their first prone shooting stage, while several favorites faltered—Dorothea Wierer missed twice, Elvira Öberg three times, and Austria’s Lisa Hauser and Anna Andexer each left two targets standing.

After the second prone, Sweden’s Ella Halvarsson moved into the lead, with Preuß and Voigt also advancing thanks to clean shooting and solid range times. On the first standing stage, Jeanmonnot shot clean to take over, while single misses from Preuß and Voigt made a podium bid unlikely given the tight front group.

The final shooting reshuffled the race again when the top four each missed one target. France’s Camille Bened briefly inherited the lead and chased a first World Cup win, but she was caught on the last loop. Preuß, Voigt, and Weidel all shot clean at the last range and surged back into the top ten, capping an excellent day for the German team.