Biathlon: Preuß’s return remains uncertain

A start by biathlon world champion Franziska Preuß at the upcoming World Cup in Hochfilzen remains in doubt. Although the 31‑year‑old, last season’s overall World Cup winner, has been named to Germany’s squad for the Austrian round, her participation will only be decided at short notice.

German sport director Felix Bitterling explained: “We plan to start the women with Vanessa Voigt, Janina Hettich‑Walz, Julia Tannheimer, Anna Weidel and Julia Kink. Important athletes for us, like Selina Grotian and Franziska Preuß, will also travel to Hochfilzen.” He added that a final decision for Grotian and Preuß would come in the next one to two days because both fell ill in Östersund and it’s not yet certain they are ready to race.

Preuß missed the World Cup opener in Scandinavia due to “influenza and COVID,” as she later disclosed. In Hochfilzen, the women’s competitions begin Friday with the 7.5 km sprint (ARD/Eurosport), followed by the relay and pursuit through Sunday.

After a subdued start for Germany in Östersund, Bitterling urged calm at the beginning of the Olympic winter. He said the foundations are there—both in skiing speed and at the range—but with the current competitiveness, everything has to come together perfectly on race day.

On the men’s side, Germany plans to start Justus Strelow, Philipp Nawrath, Philipp Horn, Danilo Riethmüller, Simon Kaiser and David Zobel in Hochfilzen, with Zobel replacing Lucas Fratzscher. For the women, Julia Kink comes in for Marlene Fichtner compared with Östersund.