In just a few hours, an 11-year World Cup career will be over. The Olympic mass start in Anterselva will be the very last dance for the 2025 World Cup overall winner.

After Saturday afternoon’s Olympic mass start in Anterselva, it will be over for one of biathlon’s biggest profiles. The 2025 World Cup winner is announcing her retirement live.

“I will put on a race bib on the biggest stage one final time. One last time to feel the butterflies, the tension, and that special nervousness that competition brings,” Franziska Preuss wrote on her Instagram account.

The mass start begins at 14:15 CET.

Also Read: Olympics 2026: Complete biathlon guide to the women’s 12.5km Mass Start

Chasing an individual medal

This winter’s Olympics in Milano-Cortina are her fourth. Before Sunday’s mixed relay, the German biathlon star’s best Olympic result had been relay bronze in Beijing in 2022. Now she has two medals: the 31-year-old from Wasserburg was part of the German team that won bronze in the mixed relay during the first weekend of this year’s Olympics.

So far, however, Preuss has not won an individual Olympic medal. Saturday’s mass start is her final opportunity to change that. After that, it is over.

The German Ski Association confirmed the news in a press release.

“The time has now come: Franziska Preuss is ending her career. I believe this will have a strong impact and stir many emotions in the biathlon community — and naturally, even more for us on the German team. In recent years, Franzi has been the leader of this team. Not through big words, but through performances,” said German national team sports director Felix Bitterling.

Injuries and illness

The World Cup winner has not had an ideal buildup to the Olympic season. A roller skiing accident in early September that required surgery forced the biathlon star to train alternately for several weeks.

Preuss has also been open about struggling with illness throughout her career.

Ahead of this season, she took serious measures and adopted strict precautions at home to avoid infection: face masks in the living room, separate bedrooms, and separate bathrooms. The biathlon star introduced strict household rules. Preuss herself admits it felt extreme.

“It feels like living in a monastery, and we’re celebrating Christmas outdoors to reduce the risk of infection,” Preuss said.

Even so, Preuss has been troubled by illness this season as well. An infection in early December left her fearing the entire winter, and she admits the period afterward has been difficult.

“I’ve struggled to find my rhythm again. It’s not an easy phase, but I’m not giving up,” Preuss told Sportschau.

A solid career

Franziska Preuss made her World Cup debut in 2013. Since then, she has competed in 297 World Cup races, reached the podium 57 times, and won 15 of them. She won the overall World Cup once (2025) and claimed three discipline titles (mass start in 2015 and 2025, sprint in 2025).

Preuss finishes with two Olympic medals: relay bronze in 2022 and mixed relay bronze in 2026. She also has 11 World Championship medals, including two golds.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Franziska Preuß (@franzi110394)

Biathlon schedule – Milano-Cortina 2026

Sunday, February 8: Mixed Relay (M+W) (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:05 CET: Mixed Relay, Men + Women

Tuesday, February 10: Men 20km Individual (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:30 CET: 20km Individual, Men

Wednesday, February 11: Women 15km Individual (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 15km Individual, Women

Friday, February 13: Men 10km Sprint (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:00 CET: 10km Sprint, Men

Saturday, February 14: Women 7.5km Sprint (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:45 CET: 7.5km Sprint, Women

Sunday, February 15: Men 12.5km Pursuit and Women 10km Pursuit (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:15 CET: 12.5km Pursuit, Men
• 14:45 CET: 10km Pursuit, Women

Tuesday, February 17: Men 4×7.5km Relay (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:30 CET: 4×7.5km Relay, Men

Wednesday, February 18: Women 4x6km Relay (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:45 CET: 4x6km Relay, Women

Friday, February 20: Men 15km Mass Start (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 15km Mass Start, Men

Saturday, February 21: Women 12.5km Mass Start (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 12.5km Mass Start, Women

The complete program for the Winter Olympic Games can be found HERE

Antholz-Anterselva promises breathtaking courses for athletes and spectacular viewing for fans. With every shot and ski stride counting, the biathletes will aim for the podium in every race, making the biathlon one of the most eagerly watched events of the 2026 Winter Games.

Are you interested in biathlon? Click HERE and read more about it.