Selina Grotian is considered a future biathlon star.

Biathlon Germany: A returnee and a bearer of hope

Former biathlon world champion Franziska Preuß is returning to the World Cup at the start of the season after a forced break of months.

13 November 2023

From: dpa

As the German Ski Association announced on Monday, the 29-year-old Bavarian is part of the squad for the first races of the World Cup winter in just under two weeks in Östersund, Sweden. In addition to Vanessa Voigt, Sophia Schneider and Hanna Kebinger, who were already pre-qualified due to their performances last season, Preuß, Janina Hettich-Walz and Selina Grotian were appointed to the team. The 19-year-old Grotian is considered the greatest German talent and, among other things, won gold four times at the Junior World Championships in the spring.

After persistent health problems, Preuß had skipped the home World Championships in February in Oberhof and instead recovered properly without competing. At the German rollerski championships in September in her adopted home of Ruhpolding, Preuß somewhat surprisingly won all three titles in sprint, individual and pursuit upon her return. After the resignation of Olympic champion Denise Herrmann-Wick, Preuß, who won gold in the relay at the World Championships in 2015, could become the new leader.

Franziska Preuß returns after a long forced break. © Social Media

The impressions from the final training course were also crucial for the World Cup nominations. The German team took part in the Norwegians' official season opening in Sjusjön last weekend. For the men, the new head national coach Uroš Velepec had previously only guaranteed former world champions Benedikt Doll and Roman Rees a permanent right to start. Philipp Nawrath, Justus Strelow, David Zobel and Johannes Kühn secured the four remaining places.

The World Cup season begins on the last weekend in November in Östersund with two mixed competitions. In central Sweden there are ten races on the program over a total of seven days of competition. After that, the team could change again.