Biathlon – Franziska Preuss before the World Cup: “I don’t have to conjure up now”

The World Championships begin this Wednesday. When and with whom they were on the routes in the LenZerheide, and how do you find the BIathLon systems there?

In the Lenzerheide I was relative to the beginning of the training season, at the end of May, early June, for a good week, accompanied by my dad. The systems are really good. I wanted to go there again beforehand because we were not often in the competitive in Lenzerheide. That’s why it was important to me for a week. I have made a lot of notes and of course hope that I can now use them.

They are more stable and stable this winter than ever before. Where does that come from?

I think through training all summer. I think the Game Changer was now: just stay healthy. I know how my body reacts to certain things, I try to use that as best as possible. I tell the trainers what is important to me, what I expect and how I want to do my training. In winter, it is ultimately the case that you are around the start number, the name is on the list of results and not the name of a trainer. You have to take responsibility for yourself, and I did that relatively uncompromisingly.

If you had the choice between a single medal at the World Cup or the victory in the overall World Cup at the end of the season, what would you take?

I think the victory in the overall World Cup. This is really one of the greatest achievements that can be achieved. Not only does one day count, but for many days between November and March. This is really cool. It is a mega performance if you win it, become second or third. Of course, I would not say no to a World Cup medal.

For them it is now the seventh world championships, but the first start in the yellow jersey in the title fights. Does it feel differently and is that a special pressure?

No, it doesn’t feel big. Of course you have a little more confidence in your luggage. This winter I have already put the step onto the podium one time or another. I know what is important. I don’t have to conjure up to do it now. So it is more of a certain serenity.

Interview

imago/Cepix

Franziska Preuss is in the form of her life and travels to Switzerland as the overall World Cup leader. The 30-year-old Wasserburger celebrated two of her three one-time Wasserburg team this season and ran into the podium in ten of the 14 individual races. Not winning a single medal now would be a “disappointment” for you.

How big is your longing for another World Cup individual medal?

Of course very big. It was almost exactly ten years ago when I last won a single medal. From that it would be a cool anniversary. I will try to stand at the start with a wide chest. I have to honestly say: Especially after the last few weeks, when I was almost every race on the podium, it would of course be a disappointment if you couldn’t do it for the World Cup. That is why the goal is to take a single medal home.

Of course, a little more attention comes with the successes. How comfortable do you feel in this role in the spotlight?

Yes, this is not my favorite role, I don’t like to be the focus. But somehow it is part of it. I can hide that relatively well. When I am at home, then not much has changed for me compared to the past few years. There is still the same person, the same athlete.

In the past few weeks they have been an absolute bank at the shooting range, the German men. Has anyone ever come to you and asked her how you actually do that?

Yes, the men have already approached me because of my lying shooting what I do and how. For me there is years of work behind it. I couldn’t explain it in a conclusion what exactly I do. Of course you try to give a tip. But it is not the same in the biathlon that all paths are the same. Everyone is different and everyone feels different. That’s why you can’t always say that as a general way: do it, then you meet.

Who will be on site from your family at the World Cup in Lenzerheide? And how does your partner Simon Schempp support you?

In the first week my parents and my aunt are there and in the second week the Simon comes.

Do you actually go to your boyfriend in a relaxed manner? And if so, who is faster?

Sure, from time to time I’m on the road with Simon. But now nothing went together in the competition break because the Simon is also employed. I don’t know who is faster. That’s not the point when you walk together.

Did you have contact with family and friends in the competition break before the World Cup, or do you have to be careful because of the risk of infection?

Of course I am very, very careful. You have almost no contacts to the outside. And when I meet the family, I just put on a mask.

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Do you find that difficult?

Of course it is not nice if you always have it in mind. And we also have a few children in the family. If you can’t do it so much when they come from school, it is difficult for me. But that’s just part of the game. If you like to play there, then you have to put your own sensitivities back. At the moment you know 100 percent what you do for. But I’m definitely looking forward to it if it doesn’t matter.

They once explained that they may want to end their career after the Olympics. Then that would be the last chance of medals in Switzerland at a World Cup …

I honestly haven’t thought about it yet. As a athlete, you are always in the here and now and focus on the current task. What may be in one or two years or is changing does not matter for me at the moment. You try to get the best out every day, so that’s not a big topic for me.