Despite the bitter damper in the persecution, the sports director remains positive before the crucial mass start.
Despite the setback on the Holmenkollen, sports director Felix Bitterling continues to believe in a positive outcome for Franziska Preuss in the fight for the overall World Cup. “The stipulation is clear that she has to beat the Lou,” said Bitterling, after the German biathlete had lost the yellow jersey to her competitor Lou JeanMonnot on Saturday: “I think that this is also a very simple approach. She has often proven that she can do that.”
In the victory of JeanMonnot in the persecution, Preuss had only become fifth after three penalty rounds, in the duel around the large crystal ball, the 31-year-old is now five points behind the French. The invoice for the final mass start at noon (1:15 p.m./ARD and Eurosport) is therefore simple: If Prussia celebrates her fourth season success, she would be after Martina Glagow (2002/03), Kati Wilhelm (2005/06), Andrea Henkel (2006/07), Magdalena Neuner (2007/10 and 2011/12) and Laura Dahlmier (2016/17) The sixth German overall World Cup winner.
“I clearly told her that nothing has been lost yet,” said Bitterling: “There are nothing five points. You don’t need to make the hole closer than it has to be.” The sports director expects an “extremely exciting” race, in which Prussia can also secure the small crystal ball in the mass start -up rating. Here it is 41 points in front of the Swede Elvira Öberg.
With a view to the Preuss duel against JeanMonnot, Bitterling has a clear opinion. “May the better win,” he said – and quickly added: “I am absolutely sure that Franzi still has something in the tank and that a very big word will have a say.”