Germany’s Franziska Preuss missed victory in the Oestersund Women’s 15 km Individual by .1 seconds, the smallest ever margin in the history of the event. Yet, for Preuss that second place was a huge victory, because it closed a circle that started back on January 23, 2023. That day, she announced her season was ending, “to take a break to regain strength both mentally and physically,” after an almost endless series of illnesses. By April, she said the “break worked as expected,” and began a long build up for the new season. Twenty times zero shooting and a solid course time on Sunday brought the affable 29-year-old Ruhpolding resident her first podium in 18 months, a victory in the battle against adversity.

After she returned to her Oestersund hotel on Sunday, we asked Preuss five burning questions and one extra about her new home in Ruhpolding.

Biathlonworld: When you woke up on Sunday, did you have any feeling that it might a great day or was it just a normal race day?

Franziska Preuss: I woke up at around 8. Was out for a little run, felt I was looking forward to the race and thought “I‘m ready to play”…

BW: It has been 18 months since your last podium, what did it feel like stepping up there today?

FP: It felt really, really good. There is a lot of work behind and it was a long way back and not easy all the time, of course.

BW: Back in the spring, did you ever think this day would come again, especially so early in the season?

FP: Yes, I had the feeling that there is still some potential inside, but I was surprised that today in an individual race there was this good of a biathlon day in me.

BW: How hard was that last loop and what was going through your mind in the final few hundred meters?

FP: It was super hard. I wished it wasn‘t Lisa who I was fighting against, because I know how good her shape is right now. But I did my best, pushed as hard as possible and was very happy with the second place. Lisa deserved this victory.

BW: How much fun was it to have three German women in the Flower Ceremony today?

FP: It was a super good German day for the whole team. Four podiums and two Top 10 results that we appreciate a lot!

BW Bonus: What is your favorite part of your new house?

FP: Hard to say, so many places: the garden, bathroom, kitchen and living room.

Photos: IBU/Per Danielsson, Nordic Focus, Franziska Preuss