Simply put, Franziska Preuss just completed the most spectacular season of her career, the one fans, and she anticipated for years. During 2024/25, Preuss was a marvel of consistency, down to the final weekend in Oslo, winning twice, and flying home with two discipline globes and the World Cup Total Score Crystal Globe in her luggage.

The shooting range exemplified the 31-year-old’s amazingly even season. She either shot clean or had a single penalty in 16 of the 21 World Cup and 4 IBU WCH individual competitions, giving her a career-best 92% on the range.

A couple of days after arriving back home in Bavaria and taking a few deep breathes between celebrations, Franziska Preuss answered our Five Burning Questions and a couple about being home. Biathlonworld: This has been a long bumpy road to this day, what was the key to staying positive through illnesses and injuries?

Franziska Preuss: I never lost the passion for this sport and the belief in my potential.

BW: What did you do differently this season to stay healthy?

FP: I had a surgery on my nose last March and of course I am super strict during a season. I don't meet people inside, wear a mask, had Christmas outside with family, a lot of small little things that finally paid off.

BW: Was this a goal when you won those three medals at the Youth Olympic Games?

FP: No, I don't think so. I started biathlon quite late at the age of 16. IN those days biathlon was just fun. I was learning a little bit more about this sport from year to year, not thinking about trophies and medals.

BW: How long is it going to take for you to realize the enormity of winning that big Crystal Globe?

FP: Whew! I am still in this process. It might take while.

BW: How important has long-time partner Simon Schempp been over the years and especially this season?

FP: Very important, especially all the years before this one when I had so many problems with my body and my immune system. Biathlonworld Bonus 1: What were the first three things you did when you got home?

FP: Ate "Schnitzel mit Pommes", slept, and spoke with Simon about the weekend in Oslo.

Biathlonworld Bonus 2: What is your favorite thing about Ruhpolding in the spring?

FP: Meeting friends once again!

As spring turns to summer and the 2026 Olympic Winter Games come into focus. Franziska Pruess will likely be chasing more goals, but she will never forget that March weekend in Oslo that she described as “really emotional.”

Photos: IBU/ Nordnes, Nordic Focus, Franziska Preuss