Preuss to miss final races in Östersund due to illness
Biathlon World Cup defending champion Franziska Preuss will miss the rest of the events at the season opener in Östersund, Sweden due to health issues, the German Ski Association (DSV) said on Friday.
The German has been dealing with a sore throat and has been feeling unwell since Thursday.
“To avoid jeopardizing the rest of the season, we have decided together with her not to take any risks so that she can return to competition as quickly as possible,” team doctor Jan Wüstenfeld said.
Preuss will miss the women’s 7.5-kilometre sprint later on Friday and the 10km pursuit on Sunday.
In the past, Preuss had repeatedly struggled with injuries and illnesses. After undergoing sinus surgery, she had her best season ever last winter, winning her maiden World Cup title and four medals, including one gold, at the world championships.
This season, however, she didn’t have a good start. Last Saturday, the women’s team finished the relay in 11th and she was 29th in the individual 15km race.
