A Triumphant Comeback: Preuß and Voigt Secure Podium Finish
Despite battling minor illnesses earlier in the week, Denise Herrmann-Wick and Franziska Preuß delivered a stunning performance in the women’s biathlon relay, securing a well-deserved podium finish.Preuß, who had narrowly missed out on victory in the sprint just two days prior, showcased remarkable resilience, hitting the target on all but one shot. Voigt, simultaneously occurring, maintained a flawless shooting record throughout the race.The duo’s jubilant embrace at the finish line spoke volumes about their shared determination and the strength of their partnership. While their recent struggles with sore throats were evident in their slightly slower running times, their unwavering focus on the shooting range ultimately propelled them too success. This impressive result marks Preuß’s fifth podium finish this winter season and Voigt’s second.Reflecting on the race, Preuß, who opted to wear a mask during her post-race interview, expressed her satisfaction, acknowledging that the outcome coudl have been vastly different. “I went straight to bed yesterday. I’m very happy with the result; it could have gone either way,” she shared with ARD, describing the race as ”mega cool.”
Voigt echoed Preuß’s sentiments, expressing immense pride in their achievement. “I’m incredibly proud of us,” she stated. “I was running on fumes, especially on the track. I knew I had to excel at the shooting range because I couldn’t keep up with the pace on the course.”
Interestingly, Voigt had drawn a lucky five euros from her advent calendar before the race, mirroring her fortune the previous week when she secured second place in the pursuit race in Hochfilzen, finishing ahead of preuß. This recent success further solidifies the German team’s position as a force to be reckoned with in the biathlon world.
German Biathletes Deliver Strong Performances in Le Grand-Bornand Pursuit
The German biathlon team put forth commendable efforts in the final pursuit race of the year in le Grand-Bornand, though a podium finish remained elusive. Danilo Riethmüller led the charge, securing a seventh-place finish after a remarkable climb from 29th position.His impressive performance included hitting 19 out of 20 targets and achieving the second fastest running time, earning him a spot in Sunday’s highly anticipated mass start.
Riethmüller expressed confidence in his upcoming races, citing this performance as a positive turning point after a string of less-than-stellar results. Notably, a penalty in the hochfilzen relay had cost him a potential podium finish earlier in the season.
Philipp horn, who had placed fourth in the sprint, followed closely behind Riethmüller. Despite starting just 29 seconds behind sprint winner Martin Uldal of Norway,Horn incurred two penalty loops,preventing him from maintaining pace with the frontrunners.
Simultaneously occurring, Norwegian superstar Johannes Thingnes Bö continued his dominance, securing his 79th World Cup victory.The sprint runner-up missed only one target en route to a commanding win,marking his third victory of the season. Frenchman Eric Perrot, who shot flawlessly, finished a respectable second, 27.6 seconds behind Bö. His teammate, Emilien Jacquelin, rounded out the podium with two misses and a 47.5-second deficit.
Other notable German performances included Justus Strelow’s 13th-place finish with a single miss, while Philipp Nawrath finished 17th after incurring four penalties. Johannes Kühn placed 23rd with three misses, and Simon Kaiser finished 47th with six misses.
In the women’s race, selina Grotian faced misfortune early on, losing her right ski and suffering a broken binding during a descent. Despite receiving a replacement ski, she lost valuable time and ultimately finished in 14th place. Anna Weidel followed in 21st position.
Julia Tannheimer, a promising 19-year-old, withdrew from the race due to health concerns.After a disappointing 53rd-place finish in Friday’s sprint,her participation in Sunday’s mass start remains uncertain.
A Resilient performance: Preuß and Voigt Overcome Adversity to Claim Biathlon Relay Podium
The German women’s biathlon team delivered a masterclass in resilience and teamwork, securing a well-deserved podium finish in the relay despite battling illness earlier in the week.
Franziska Preuß, fresh off a narrow defeat in the sprint just two days prior, showcased her fortitude by hitting the target on all but one shot. Her shooting accuracy, combined with the flawless performance of teammate Denise Herrmann-Wick, proved critical to their success.
While both athletes admitted to feeling the effects of recent sore throats, their unwavering focus on the range propelled them to victory. This wasn’t just a win, it was a testament to their mental toughness and the depth of their partnership.
The jubilant embrace between Preuß and Voigt at the finish line spoke volumes. It wasn’t just the joy of victory, but the relief of overcoming adversity and proving their capabilities in challenging circumstances.
This podium finish further solidifies Preuß’s extraordinary winter season, marking her fifth podium placement. For Voigt, it represents her second, showcasing her emergence as a significant force in the sport.
Preuß’s post-race interviews, conducted while wearing a mask, highlighted the ongoing struggle with illness. Yet, her satisfaction with the result was palpable. “I went straight to bed yesterday,” she shared with ARD. “I’m very happy with the result; it could have gone either way,” she admitted, adding,”it was mega cool.”
Voigt echoed Preuß’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of their teamwork and the significance of this achievement in light of their recent health challenges.
This podium finish is more than just another medal for the German duo. It’s a shining example of athletic determination, a testament to the power of resilience, and a reminder that even when faced with adversity, champions find a way to rise to the occasion.
