Franziska Preuß helps the Italian Lisa Vittozzi with her comeback in the biathlon circuit.
Biathlon star Lisa Vittozzi goes into the upcoming season with great expectations, which will be crowned with the Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina – also thanks to the help of biathlon overall World Cup winner Franziska Preuß.
“Franzi was super helpful and I look forward to more units,” Vittozzi said to SportNews after initial shooting exercises: “She wrote to me immediately after my dropout in the winter and was there for me. She also gave me tips because she had gone through something similar herself.” Further units with Preuß are planned.
Franziska Preuß (r.) helps Lisa Vittozzi with her comeback
Biathlon Star on the Way Back
Vittozzi, who won the overall World Cup and the World Championship title in the mass start in 2023/24, was forced to take a break due to severe back pain. The Italian has been working on her comeback since March in order to be fit in time for the Olympic Winter Games in her home country.
“It was certainly a difficult year, both on a physical and emotional level. But it has also left me with many positive things, so I think I will come back stronger than before,” Vittozzi said combatively.
Her shooting coach Edoardo Mezzaro is satisfied: “Since Lisa has returned to training, she has shown strong development. Her performance tests were very convincing.”
Vittozzi’s goal at the Games is clear: “I expect to be able to keep up with the competition. If I can do what I have set out to do, a medal will only be a consequence of that.”