Preuß takes first World Cup win for Germany, Bø victorious at last

Preuß Takes First World Cup Win for Germany, Bø Victorious at Last

Franziska Preuß claimed the first World Cup win for Germany in the new biathlon season with a triumph in the women’s sprint in Hochfilzen, Austria on Friday.

By Nathalia Araújo, dpa

In the men’s event, Johannes Thingnes Bø won his first individual race of the season after missing out on the top spot on the podium at the season opener in Kontiolahti, Finland earlier this month.Preuß finished the 7.5-kilometre race in 21 minutes 06.0 seconds with one missed target but still 7.7 seconds ahead of France’s Sophie Chaveau, who hit all targets.

Karoline Knotten of Norway completed the podium in third.

Preuß already had a third place finish from the 12.5km mass start at the season opener in Kontiolahti, Finland and the win in Hochfilzen is only the second one of her career.

She was leading after prone, slipped into third position after one penalty in standing, but rebounded with a very fast last loop.

“I was simply on a flow. I’m very, very happy and also surprised that even with a mistake it was enough to win,” she said.

Bø returns to winning ways

Norwegian Bø finished the previous season with four consecutive individual wins, but left Kontiolahti empty-handed, with his best result a second place in the 15km race.

But the overall World Cup champion tasted victory again – his 10th in Hochfilzen – despite one missed shot as he finished the 10km sprint in 24:23.1 minutes, 4.2 seconds ahead of team-mate Sturla Holm Lægreid.

France’s Fabien Claude was third, beating Endre Strømsheim and Vebjørn Sørum to deny Norway a podium sweep.

The men’s and women’s pursuit is scheduled for Saturday.

(dpa)

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