Germany’s Franziska Preuss won her first-ever individual IBU World Championships Gold medal this afternoon in 26.:58.9, cementing her as the leading female in these 2025 BMW IBU World Championships. The German easily cleaned all four stages for her third medal, after Sprint Silver and Mixed Relay Bronze.

“Perfect Race”

Preuss was overjoyed with her Gold medal performance, calling it, “the perfect race, the one everyone is training for. It was super cool, especially the last loop. I had time to enjoy it. I am just happy and satisfied. Thank you, Lenzerheide!”

“I will never forget this day”

Regarding crossing the finish line waving the German flag, she added, “It was crazy. It was a fight against the tears. I was so close to starting to cry and laughing, of course. It was just joy. It was so cool. I will never forget this day.”

“You have to ski smart”

Sweden’s Elvira Oeberg won a last loop battle for the Silver medal with France’s Justine Braisaz-Bouchet. Oeberg, with one penalty finished 39.1 seconds back for her first-ever individual IBU WCH medal. “I’ve always felt some confidence. I have my Olympic medals, but had some issues during the last World Championships…To do a great pursuit means a lot.” Her key to success came on the tracks. “I knew I could not start too hard…the track and altitude takes its toll. You have to ski smart.”

Braisaz-Bouchet with three penalties finished in the Bronze spot 40.9 seconds back for her second medal this week after winning Sprint Gold yesterday.

France’s Lou Jeanmonnot, with two penalties finished fourth, 1:02.2 back. Switzerland’s Lena Haecki-Gross, finished fifth, with four penalties, 1:28.3 back after fourth place in the sprint. Sprint Bronze medalist Suvi Minkkinen of Finland finished sixth, with two penalties, 1:41.1 back.

Pursuit Sunday was a carbon copy of Saturday: sunny, +4C and again light winds, making clean the key to victory. The Sprint winner Justine Braisaz-Bouchet led into the first prone but picked up a penalty. Haecki-Gross and Preuss cleaned easily, going out 1-2, with the French trio of Jeanmonnot, Braisaz-Bouchet and defending World Champion Julia Simon trailing 16 seconds back.

The leaders cleaned the second prone carefully, going out together. Behind them, Jeanmonnot and Braisaz-Bouchet remained at just over 15 seconds back when Simon’s three penalties knocked her from contention.

Preuss on Top

In the first standing, Preuss cleaned for the sole lead. The Swiss star had a penalty, remaining second 15 seconds back. Elvira cleaned, getting away with Braisaz-Bouchet after her second penalty, 27 seconds behind the German.

Elvira Skis to Silver

Preuss cleaned the last standing with authority, ensuring the Gold medal. Behind her, everyone went to the penalty loop, with Braisaz-Bouchet and Elvira holding 2-3 side-by-side, 50 seconds back battling for the Silver medal. In the final 300 meters, Elvira passed her French rival, skiing away to her first individual IBU WCH medal after previously winning relay and mixed relay medals.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus