Bronze for German Biathletes Preuß and Strelow at Biathlon World Championships
In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, German biathletes Franziska Preuß and Justus Strelow ascended the podium with a hard-earned bronze medal in the Single-Mixed Relay at the Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide. This latest accolade marks Preuß’s fourth medal at the competition, solidifying her status as one of Germany’s top biathletes.
Despite facing challenging conditions and strong competition, the duo persevered, navigating the 6-kilometer course and shooting range with resilience and precision. After a clean start by Preuß, a minor setback occurred in her first standing shoot, requiring two extra rounds. This minor lapse saw Strelow enter the fray in 10th position, trailing France by 22.1 seconds.
Undeterred, Strelow displayed remarkable composure and accuracy, needing only one extra round in his first prone shooting and clearing all five targets in an impressive 18.7 seconds during his standing shoot.
The French team of Julia Simon and Quentin Fillon Maillet captured the gold medal with a dominant performance, while Norway’s Ragnhild Femsteinevik and Johannes Thingnes Bø claimed silver.
For Preuß, this bronze medal is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering spirit. It adds to her impressive collection from this World Championship, including gold in the pursuit, silver in the sprint, and bronze in the mixed relay. Her exceptional performance has also contributed significantly to the German Ski Association’s (DSV) medal tally, marking the second World Championship medal in this category for the association.
Since its introduction in 2019, the Single-Mixed Relay has not been included in the Olympic program. However, Preuß and Erik Lesser achieved silver in this event at the 2020 World Championships in Antholz.
Initially, Preuß had harbored hopes of an individual medal in the Einzel event, but two missed targets in her final shoot saw her finish in seventh place. Nevertheless, she approached the Single-Mixed Relay with renewed determination and proved once again that she is a force to be reckoned with.
Preuß and Strelow’s success is a source of pride for Germany and a testament to their exceptional skill and dedication. Their bronze medal is a well-deserved reward for their hard work and a reminder of the immense talent within Germany’s biathlon team.
