Preuss and Strelow get bronze in single-mixed

“It was maximum uncomfortable. But that was almost the whole race because I was always on the road with fast runners, ”said Strelow in the ARD. “The final round was hard, but I’m glad that there was still a place on the podium.”

Overall, it was already the fourth German medal at the highlight of the season in the canton of Graubünden. Prussia and Strelow were already part of the mixed relay, which had bronze at the start. The overall World Cup-leading Preuss also won gold in the chase and silver in the sprint during the previous week. With four medals, she is currently the most successful athlete of the World Cup.

“The medal is extremely important,” said sports director Felix Bitterling. “A few years ago, we decided to get better in the mixed and single mixed relay. The two did that fantastic. “

Strelow starts catching up

In the singles, Preuss had given up a medal after two mistakes in the last shooting. Now she also showed slight weaknesses at her first standing stop. She had to reload twice, so Strelow only went into the race as tenth and 22.1 seconds behind France.

The Saxon, the best shooter in the World Cup in the pre -season, needed a relief in his first circulation, and then he cleared up all five slices in 18.7 seconds. For example, Strelow switched to Prussia second, 4.4 seconds behind Switzerland.

Subsequently, Preuss convinced with impeccable insoles before Strelow came to the last shooting with Quentin Fillon Fillon Maillet. Both made a mistake. But the Frenchman was faster in the trail and the Norwegian star Johannes Thingnes Bö managed to intercept Strelow. The record world champion and his partner Ragnhild Femsteinevik had needed 15 reliefs. “Watching is worse,” said Preuss, who was in the target area. “But we can be very satisfied today.”

With his rapid shooting deposits, Strelow is a specialist in the latest competition of biathletes. Usually he would have started in Lenzerheide with Vanessa Voigt. The Thuringian had to end her season prematurely because of the consequences of a cold and lack the title fights.

Further medal opportunities for German team

Preuss, who is currently by far the best in the team, jumped in for her sick teammate and is likely to ensure a novelty. She will be the first German at a World Cup at all seven possible starts. At the weekend, the women’s relay, where Germany is one of the gold favorites, and the final mass start for Prussia are still waiting. Strelow, on the other hand, had paused in singles on Wednesday to be ready for the shooting -heavy single mixed – a plan that went on from the DSV’s point of view.

“We speculated that it is decided at the shooting range,” said Bitterling. “The base was laid at the shooting range and Justus did it very well as the final runner for the second time.”