Up to the finish line, Franziska Preuß and Lou Jeanmonnot engaged in a tough battle. Now they are joining forces.
Joint preparation instead of fierce competition: The dramatic duel for the overall World Cup apparently brought biathletes Franziska Preuß and Lou Jeanmonnot even closer together.
“Spent two perfect days in great company! Many thanks to Franzi and Simon Schempp for the warm welcome,” the Frenchwoman wrote on Instagram.
Overall World Cup winner Preuß had apparently invited her long-time rival to her home in Ruhpolding during the summer preparation for the Olympic season.
There, the duo completed joint training sessions in the Chiemgau Arena. In photos, the two are standing next to each other at the shooting range in lanes one and two – as so often last winter. Preuß also posed with Jeanmonnot in front of her wooden house, and a joint pizza evening was also a must.
Biathlon: Preuß and Jeanmonnot engaged in a tough battle
The Frenchwoman, who comes from the Jura Mountains, also treated herself to a ride on the Chiemgau Coaster, the summer toboggan run in Ruhpolding.
Preuß and Jeanmonnot had engaged in a dramatic duel for the crown in the overall World Cup last season until the last competition.
Preuß (l.) and Jeanmonnot (r.) at the World Cup final
Both went together on the last lap of the winter, before Jeanmonnot crashed about 300 meters before the finish during an overtaking maneuver by Preuß in a curve. The 26-year-old had placed her own pole in front of her ski; there was no contact from the Bavarian.
While Preuß initially made tentative accusations against herself, Jeanmonnot immediately absolved her of any blame. After her rival’s fall, the best German biathlete not only won the race but also the large crystal globe; ultimately, her lead was 20 points.