Preuß reveals setback at award ceremony: “More damage to my hand than first thought”

Franziska Preuß, Germany’s reigning overall World Cup winner in biathlon, has revealed that her hand injury sustained in a fall at the German Championships was more serious than first believed. Speaking while being honored at the Bavarian Sports Prize, she said that after surgery in late September doctors found “more was broken in the hand than initially assumed.”

Preuß is now racing the clock to be ready for the International Biathlon Union’s first official rollerski race in Munich’s Olympic Park (the Loop One Festival) on October 19. “Rehab is going well, I’m doing my best, and the hand is getting better every day. I hope it works out in time for next week,” she said.

However, she emphasized she would not take any risks: “The big goal is November when the World Cup starts again. I’ll be fit by then.” Despite the setback, Preuß said she’s used to overcoming challenges and has dealt with worse.

Preuß also spoke emotionally about the death of her friend Laura Dahlmeier, who died in a climbing accident in Pakistan at the end of July. “It was a huge shock. It’s still hard to grasp that we won’t see her on cross-country or ski touring skis this winter. The accident happened during her greatest passion—that brings me a little comfort,” she said, adding she hopes Dahlmeier is watching “from the sky.”

Preuß attended the ceremony with her partner, former biathlete Simon Schempp. The IBU’s Munich event will mark the federation’s first official rollerski competition.