Olympics 2026: Vittozzi wins gold in Antholz, Preuß only sixth

Lisa Vittozzi fulfilled her big dream and was crowned Olympic champion at the Winter Games on home snow. On Sunday, 15 February 2026, Vittozzi produced the calmest performance at the final shooting and crossed the course in celebration on her way to the gold medal in the women's 10-kilometre pursuit in Antholz.

Behind her, Norway's Maren Kirkeeide claimed silver after three penalty laps (+28.8 seconds), while Finland's Suvi Minkkinen took bronze (no penalties/+34.3 seconds).

Preuß's two misses at the last shooting cost her the medal

Germany's Franziska Preuß had two costly misses in the final shooting and finished sixth, 1:08.0 minutes behind the winner. In the finish area she sat at the barrier in the snow and buried her face in her hands, visibly distraught at the opportunity missed. “Like in the individual event, it only wobbled at the end. I got so tense and couldn’t find the focus. Then nothing works,” she said shortly after the finish.

On the course she felt "really good" and said she had managed to ignore everything and focus from shooting bout to shooting bout. Then 30 seconds "destroyed everything," she said, wiping away tears.

Last chance for Preuß: mass start could be the career icing on the cake

Before the Games Preuß had said that an individual Olympic medal would be the crowning touch on her career. Now she has only one remaining opportunity — the mass start on Saturday. She will retire after this winter.

DSV balance: Voigt in top 20, Tannheimer and Grotian back

The other three German Ski Association competitors were out of medal contention. Vanessa Voigt finished 19th (3 penalties/+2:19.7), Julia Tannheimer ended 34th (5 penalties/+3:32.6) and Selina Grotian 41st (4 penalties/+3:54.6).

Race developments and shooting details

Preuß had started the pursuit in seventh position with roughly a minute deficit to sprint Olympic champion Maren Kirkeeide. At the first shooting, apart from Océane Michelon, the top 10 were all perfect so there were few immediate positional changes. At the second prone shooting the leading duo Kirkeeide and Lou Jeanmonnot each missed once. Vittozzi remained perfect and went to the track in front to roaring applause from the Antholz arena. Preuß also hit all five targets at that stage and had halved her deficit, moving forward from seventh as others shuffled.

At the third and fourth shootings the race heated up: Kirkeeide reclaimed the lead on the track and was first into the final standing shooting. Both Kirkeeide and Vittozzi shot clear at that stage while Jeanmonnot had to ski a penalty lap. Preuß again hit all five and went into the final lap together with Jeanmonnot and Minkkinen.

Perfect to gold: Vittozzi turns it on at the last shooting

Kirkeeide had built a small lead heading into the final shooting but missed twice there, opening the door for the flawless Vittozzi, who needed only one final lap to realize her dream. Preuß pushed hard but squandered her medal chance with two penalty laps in the last shooting. On the final circuit Kirkeeide was able to hold off Minkkinen to secure silver.

Results (top finishers)

• Gold: Lisa Vittozzi (ITA) — 10 km pursuit, perfect final shooting
• Silver: Maren Kirkeeide (NOR) — 3 penalty laps, +28.8 s
• Bronze: Suvi Minkkinen (FIN) — 0 penalty laps, +34.3 s
• 6th: Franziska Preuß (GER) — 2 penalty laps, +1:08.0
• 19th: Vanessa Voigt (GER) — 3 penalties
• 34th: Julia Tannheimer (GER)
• 41st: Selina Grotian (GER)

Notes

The next individual opportunity for Franziska Preuß to win an Olympic medal is the mass start on Saturday. After this winter Preuß plans to retire from competition.

Source: sportschau.de (report by Raphael Crass)