by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 23 (Xinhua) -- While celebrations in the enchanting Alpine village of Ruhpolding seemed endless, it took a while for Franziska Preuss to fully appreciate her latest achievement.
After crossing the finish line in Oslo during the 2024-25 season's final biathlon race, securing her first overall World Cup title in a nail-biting finish, the 31-year-old German's first thoughts were of her French competitor, Lou Jeanmonnot, who came second after struggling in the final meters.
"I am happy, so happy, but I didn't want it to end this way," said Preuss, a customs officer by trade. As the two raced shoulder to shoulder, mirroring an entire season, Jeanmonnot stumbled over her ski poles, and Preuss quickly rushed to check on her wellbeing.
Whether Preuss was fully able to enjoy her bittersweet victory or not, things have come easy for her this season.
The German completed a stunning medal haul at the World Championships in Lenzerheide just weeks ago, winning gold in the pursuit, silver in the sprint, and bronze in the team relay. Her triumph in Switzerland marked her first individual world championship title, having previously won only in team events.
While the pre-Olympic season couldn't have been more joyful, the final chapter is yet to come at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
"The Olympics overshadow everything, but I have positive feelings about the venue in Antholz," said Preuss, the 2022 Olympic bronze medal winner, after a recent training camp in Antholz, located 150 kilometers west of Cortina in South Tyrol, where the biathlon events will be held.
Having settled in Ruhpolding, near the Austrian border, with her partner, former biathlete Simon Schempp, Preuss is preparing for life after her career. The couple recently finished building a wooden house and is considering starting a family after the 2026 Olympics.
For now, the Olympic dream remains her top priority.
"I have invested so much over the years," she said, referring to the support of 36-year-old Schempp, who retired in 2021. "It gives me great confidence to have someone like him at my side."
Despite her current success, Preuss hasn't forgotten the chance encounter that led her to winter sports.
In March 2009, Preuss's future in biathlon was uncertain. At the time, she was focused on athletics, with track and field as her primary sport. However, her adventurous spirit led her to explore other possibilities.
When her parents gifted her a voucher for test-training sessions at a winter sports school run by biathlon coach Fritz Fischer, she gave it a try. The experience proved transformative, and she was soon invited to join Germany's talent team.
Now, with her flawless performance in the pursuit, including perfect shooting, Preuss has positioned herself as a serious contender for Olympic success next year.
"I wasn't thinking about having won at first; I just wanted to know what happened and make sure it wasn't my mistake," Preuss said after the race in Oslo. She and Jeanmonnot spoke for several minutes, hugged, and went off together for a victory lap, shoulder to shoulder. ■
