Paula Botet is the surprise at the start of 2025 in biathlon.
The Frenchwoman won the Oberhof women’s sprint this Thursday, January 9, obtaining at the same time the best result of his career in Biathlon World Cup. And from afar!
In an individual race, she had never done better than 21st place in the Oslo sprint in Norway in March 2023. The 24-year-old biathlete had not even appeared at the highest level since this race, relegated to the hierarchy of a crazy dense French team.
His return to the top is even crazier. Thanks to a great start to the season in the IBU Cup with seven podiums in nine races, she was promoted to the World Cup group for this stage in Oberhof.
The one who had discovered the elite of international biathlon in similar conditions in 2021-2022 did not miss her chance this time, winning in style, a 10/10 on shots and 31.1 seconds ahead of Norwegian Maren Kirkeeide.
-A masterful performance which leaves even the main interested party in shock.
“I don’t know what to say. I felt so bad, I was freezing on the descents. I was soaked, freezing. I thought I would do anything. I’m in shock. I hope it shows others that there is a really good level in the IBU Cup. I dreamed of it (of winning a World Cup) but for it to happen to me for real… I don’t know if I’m going to sleep this (Thursday) evening,” she reacted to the microphone of The Team Channel.
This incredible result confirms the potential seen in young people, notably with two gold medals in the women’s relay at the Junior World Championships (2020 and 2021).
READ ALSO – All results from the Oberhof Biathlon World Cup live
