Shifting Roles for Struggling ShooterGermany Shakes Up Biathlon Lineup Amid Preuß’s Shooting Woes
German biathlon coaches are backing Franziska Preuß as the team adjusts its strategy. Following recent struggles with her shooting, she will be deployed in a latest position in the relay.
A surprising shakeup for Franziska Preuß: After repeated shooting difficulties in recent competitions, the former Biathlon World Champion and overall World Cup winner will have a changed role in the German women’s relay at the Olympic Winter Games.
On Wednesday (2:45 PM CET/ARD, Eurosport and live ticker on ntv.de), the 31-year-old from Ruhpolding will unexpectedly race in the second leg, teaming up with Julia Tannheimer, Janina Hettich-Walz, and new anchor Vanessa Voigt in the 4 x 6 kilometer event. The German women have yet to reach the podium in three individual races, having secured a bronze medal in the mixed relay in South Tyrol as their only hardware so far. Preuß anchored that mixed relay team.
“It’s Just Wobbling”
Preuß has repeatedly let potential medals slip away at the Winter Games in Antholz, faltering in the final standing shoot. She missed out on at least a bronze medal in Sunday’s pursuit race with late penalties, and a podium finish was also within reach in the individual event. Both times, the previous season’s overall World Cup winner fell short of the podium. With her career set to end after this season, this will be Preuß’s final Olympic relay race.
The Bavarian athlete admitted she was puzzled by her shooting problems in Antholz. “It’s just wobbling. Then I receive so tense and can’t focus on the essentials,” she said after the pursuit: “Then nothing works anymore.” She now aims to regain confidence for Saturday’s mass start, hoping to secure an individual medal in her last Olympic race.
Hettich-Walz had previously missed the sprint and pursuit due to stomach problems, but those health issues have now been resolved. Four years ago in Beijing, Preuß, along with Vanessa Hinz, Denise Herrmann-Wick, and Voigt, won a bronze medal, racing in the third leg at that time. She was typically the anchor in World Cup events. The German Ski Association last won Olympic gold in Salt Lake City in 2002.
