Franziska Preuß shone brightly at the Biathlon World Cup held in Ruhpolding, clinching second place after a thrilling race on the 15-kilometer individual course. The 30-year-old athlete, who entered the event as the leader of the overall World Cup standings, wasn't able to secure the top spot but showcased her skill with a strong performance, finishing just 35.7 seconds behind the flawless French competitor, Lou Jeanmonnot.
Despite one shooting error, Preuß's incredible running capabilities kept her competitive, as fans witnessed her remarkable resolve to bounce back after lackluster finishes earlier this month at Oberhof, where she placed 28th and 20th. "It felt like a rock had fallen off my shoulders," said Preuß with relief, reflecting on her struggles. She celebrated her seventh podium finish of the season, marking her third podium spot at Ruhpolding itself.
Competing on home turf before 10,900 enthusiastic spectators, Preuß drew energy from the local support as they launched the traditional biathlon chant of "Oh, how beautiful it is." Following challenging days from the previous races, the atmosphere seemed to uplift her spirits significantly.
Preuß had entered the event wearing the iconic yellow bib, indicative of her lead. She expressed her joy at racing before family and friends, saying, "This was exactly the kind of day I wished for. It's been a pleasure to perform here at home." Nevertheless, the reality of competition loomed as her main rival Jeanmonnot edged closer, now only 101 points behind her after the race.
The day didn't just mark the triumph for Preuß; Swiss biathlete Amy Baserga also made headlines, capturing her first-ever podium finish by taking third place. Baserga completed the race with no shooting errors, finishing 43.1 seconds behind the winner.
For Preuß, the race had its ups and downs. A shooting misstep during her first standing shot resulted in one penalty minute, which was pivotal, as her subsequent shooting attempts were flawless, reflecting her high skill level. She recorded the fourth-fastest running times of the day, demonstrating her prowess on the course.
"I love being the pursuer, I enjoy this position," said Jeanmonnot after her victory, expressing her competitive fire as she seeks to close the gap on Preuß. Despite the setback, Preuß remained focused on preserving her yellow jersey, touting the importance of securing her lead as they head toward the mid-season.
The excitement doesn't stop here, as the women’s relay is scheduled alongside other events following the men's race on Friday. Preuß stated her intent to perform even stronger with her team, building on the German women’s relay success earlier this season, where they achieved their first victory after several years of drought.
Other German athletes, including Stefanie Scherer and Selina Grotian, faced challenges of their own during the race. Scherer made her return to the World Cup after five years, finishing 22nd with respectable nerves. Grotian, on the other hand, struggled with stamina post-competition, ending up just behind Scherer.
Preuß heads to the upcoming races with renewed motivation, and her strong showing at Ruhpolding is promising as she prepares for the next big event leading up to the World Championships.