The biathlon season kicks off in Östersund with the German team, including Franziska Preuß, Grotian, and others, focusing on Olympic ambitions. Preuß, a world champion and overall World Cup winner, approaches the season with confidence and a relaxed mindset after achieving her biggest career goal last winter. Despite setbacks like a hand injury requiring surgery, she feels well-prepared and emphasizes her goal to enjoy her final Olympics. The German team, led by sports director Felix Bitterling, expects Preuß to remain a top contender, with other athletes like Grotian, Tannheimer, Voigt, and Hettich-Walz also showing promise. The men's team faces challenges, with only Philipp Nawrath ranking high in the World Cup, and is working on mental training to improve shooting performance. The season's opening includes a focus on upcoming competitions, with the Olympics in Antholz in February as a major highlight. The article also notes recent controversies within the French team and the broader winter sports schedule.