Franziska Preuss will miss the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof

The German biathlete Franziska Preuss will miss the Biathlon World Championships in Oberhof as she ends her season prematurely, she announced in a statement.

The 28-year-old Bavarian has been battling an infection for months but has no plans to stop biathlon.

“In my current condition, I won’t be in a position to produce a result to help our team at the world championships in Oberhof”, said Franziska Preuss, who is a former world relay champion and winner of five medals overall. “If I want to continue my sports career at the highest level, I have to listen to my body and take a break. I will do what is necessary to be healthy again and permanently”, she added.

Franziska Preuss’ place in the relay is likely to be taken by Hanna Kebinger, who surprisingly led the German team to third place in Antholz-Anterselva on Sunday. In the two individual starts over the weekend, Franziska Preuss recorded 34th and 38th, and has not finished higher than tenth this season.

The World Championships in Oberhof will take place between February 8 and 19.