Sensation of winter 2023-2024, Lou Jeanmonnot won, Wednesday December 4, the 12.5 km individual in Kontiolahti (Finland), the first individual event of the Biathlon World Cup. Author of a flawless performance during her four shooting rounds, the Frenchwoman won in just under thirty-six minutes ahead of the Swedes Ella Halvarsson (one shooting fault) and Elvira Öberg (three faults).
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With this success, Lou Jeanmonnot confirms the hopes she raised during last season, at the end of which she finished runner-up in the general classification to the Italian Lisa Vittozzi. The 26-year-old French biathlete exploded on the biathlon circuit from the inaugural stage in Östersund (Sweden) in November 2023, winning her first individual victory in the sprint before doubling the lead in the pursuit. Two other individual successes and four medals at the world championships were added to the young woman's trophy cabinet over the winter.
Braisaz-Bouchet and Simon eclipsed
The Franc-Comtoise is now more than ever a serious candidate for the big globe, which rewards the best biathlete in the general classification of the World Cup. In the cold and dark lands of Finland, she especially overshadows her teammates Julia Simon and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, natural leaders of a French women's team which does not lack talent.
On Wednesday, the first (four shooting fouls) finished 31ethe second 39e (five faults), far from their personal ambitions. Océane Michelon and Jeanne Richard finished in an encouraging 7e et 11e places. Next deadline Saturday December 7 with the sprint event.
