Biathlete Franziska Preuß is finally symptom-free - and consistently strong than ever before.
Franziska Preuss, 26, showed early on what skills she has in her.
At the 2015 World Cup, she won gold (relay) and silver (mass start).
After that, the biathlete from SC Haag was repeatedly slowed down by illnesses and injuries.
This season, however, the young woman from Albaching is finally symptom-free, has consistently performed well and is the greatest German hope for the Biathlon World Cup, which starts today in Pokljuka.
Franziska Preuss, sixth in the overall World Cup you are the German parade biathlete this winter.
Even with the men there is no one who is better placed.
How can this constancy be explained after you have been up and down in the past?
Preuß:
I went my own way in summer training and returned to base trainer Tobi Reiter (former national trainer / editor's note).
That worked great.
The Tobi has its own training philosophy.
That was a cool training year in which everything went smoothly.
What did Tobi Reiter do differently?
Preuß:
He challenged me a lot, got me out of my comfort zone - also mentally.
Tobi really wanted me not to hide, to believe in myself more and to start with a broad chest.
I've also gained strength.
You can see that this has paid off.
The successes are there, I am consistently performing.
This season under the signs of Corona was a very complicated one.
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In a good mood: Franziska Preuss is in top form just in time for the World Cup.
© Sven Hoppe / dpa
Preuss:
The corona measures played more into my cards.
My problem was often infections, I kept getting sick.
I was completely spared that this winter.
I certainly benefited from the hygiene measures: mask, distance, few contacts.
You can hardly see anyone walking around with a cold nose in the athletes' camp.
For me as an athlete, it was all an advantage.
Based on the results of this winter, you are the current front woman of your team.
As you know, you don't like hearing that ...
Preuss:
Yes, that's true.
The one with the front woman is more of a media thing.
On the other hand, I am of the opinion that we belong together, we function as a team, each of us is important.
I'm not the type to be pushed into the spotlight anyway.
Of course, if I am asked to, then I take on this role - but I am not eager for it.
Most recently, you also shone as the last runner of the relay and made a significant contribution to the German quartet winning in Oberhof and finishing second at the Antholz World Cup.
In this discipline, your team is now one of the medal candidates.
Preuß:
We also have to start from scratch with every race.
There are many nations knocking on the door.
There is no way we can rest, the World Cup in Pokljuka will certainly not be a sure-fire success.
Even if the recent podium places were of course good for self-confidence.
You yourself made it onto the podium twice in individual races, and were close several times.
In 2015 you won your first World Championship medal in an individual race with mass start silver - the second will follow in Slovenia?
After the World Cup in Antholz three weeks ago, I was broken.
Franziska Preuss.
Preuß:
I would be very happy about it in any case.
My basis is not wrong.
It's always good to know that it has already worked out this season.
In any case, I am fully motivated.
After the World Cup in Antholz three weeks ago, I was broken.
Then I'll go to Ruhpolding to regenerate, after our training camp in Obertilliach I'm in good shape again.
Did it influence your preparations for the World Cup that your partner Simon Schempp announced his retirement from biathlon during this break from competition.
Your encouragement was certainly required.
Preuss:
I didn't have to console Simon.
I think he did that at just the right time.
For us it was an exciting situation, a new experience, when one of us both said goodbye to his sport, which he had enjoyed for many years.
Of course, I fully supported Simon.
And he's happy with it now - and certainly not devastated.
