Shooting Stars

Both of these women were shooting stars. At her best, Doro put on a show, shooting as blindingly fast as she could talk. Franzi was pure confidence on the range, easily clicking off the targets, think 92% in 2024/25! Both were deadly accurate in prone, rarely below 91%.

On the day of her first-ever World Cup victory, Wierer described the shooting process on good (and bad) days. “I switch off the brain and shoot like in training. When I don’t think about it, it goes well…Sometimes, I find the button, sometimes I don’t!”

Doro, “important to have social contact…I don’t like to be alone a lot”

These two have dramatically different personalities. Wierer loves the spotlight and socialising. “It is really important for me to have a lot of social contact. I don’t like to be alone a lot.” Sitting still is not part of her make-up. The moment someone chided her about flying off in a helicopter, she would unleash that distinctive giggle, knowing the last laugh would be hers! Yet Doro admitted her chatter especially before competitions was a way to fend off nerves and doubt. “I always have a lot of fear; a lot of doubts and everything like that.”

Franzi, “never lost the passion…and belief in my potential”

Preuss is the quiet, endearing personality who loves being home with her partner Simon Schempp and taking the dog out for a walk. She usually keeps her emotions in control but filled deep down with a “never give up, fight-for-every-second” mantra. In an injury and illness-filled career, that determination kept Franzi rebounding until fulfilling her biggest dreams.

Over the years, Preuss “never lost the passion for this sport and the belief in my potential.” Later after holding the big Crystal Globe, “I am really proud (that I never gave up). I am also really thankful for my family and friends. They support me every time…(and) give me so much energy; in the hard moments I can trust them.”

“The sport has given me so much… more than I ever dreamed possible”

Franzi, a champion from her earliest days won three Gold medals at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games, but admitted, “In those days biathlon was just fun. I was learning a little bit more about this sport, not thinking about trophies and medals.” Announcing her retirement, she revealed, “This sport has given me so much: moments of success, tears of disappointment, and friendships for life…I have achieved more than I ever dreamed possible.”