Biathlon in Antholz: Preuss awards another relay victory in the last shooting

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Franziska Preuss and Uljana Kaischewa (from left) fought an exciting duel at the last shooting range

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MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP

The German biathletes finished second at the World Cup dress rehearsal in Antholz, Italy.

One week after the home win in Oberhof, Vanessa Hinz, Janina Hettich, Denise Herrmann and Franziska Preuß only had to admit defeat to Russia (+11 seconds) in the last World Cup before the title fights in Pokljuka, Slovenia.

Third over the 4x6 kilometers was France (+21.2) ahead of Italy (+40.5).

The co-favorite Norwegians only came in sixth (+59.6).

The German quartet was accurate at the shooting range and only needed six spare rounds - it was the best shooting result of all teams.

The Russians needed nine reserve cartridges.

27 days before the women's World Cup relay on February 20, the biathletes showed that they belong to the circle of favorites after finishing third in the fourth relay race.

With a gap of 16.5 seconds, Vanessa Hinz, who needed a spare cartridge, handed over in second place behind Italy.

Janina Hettich also needed a spare, but because the competition failed, she took over the lead.

Ex-World Champion Denise Herrmann, running in third place, needed a total of three spare rounds, but showed a good mileage and was in the lead with a lead of 3.8 seconds at the last change.

"Very stupid wobbling"

In the penultimate shooting, Franziska Preuss and the Russian Uljana Kaischewa were tied, both final runners made no mistakes and separated from the rest of the field.

The 26-year-old Preuss had problems standing shooting, but got away with a spare.

Kaischewa put the first two cartridges right next to the targets, but shot much faster and was able to make his way to the finish as the leader.

In Oberhof Preuss had shown a faultless shooting performance.

“When I got up there was a very stupid shake from my feet.

Then I went to reserve a little.

But that didn't work.

I couldn't start shooting.

Then I'm in the squat.

I lost time, but if I had started shooting it would have been a tremendous match, "said Preuss on ZDF:" So I solved it very well.

Standing shooting was a big challenge. "

Herrmann was satisfied with the team performance: "We have always offered a good performance in the last few seasons, let's hope that we can take the momentum to Pokljuka with us."

The team is »definitely« in World Cup form.

For the DSV athletes, it was the third relay podium in the fourth race this winter.

In Hochfilzen, the 2020 vice world champions missed the top three in fourth place for the only time.

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ngo / dpa / sid