French biathlon is undoubtedly experiencing a golden era. Nation number 1 for two winters, France has never had such a strong women’s collective. Able to monopolize the first four places in the World Championship sprint, to win more than half of the winter races and to see two of its three leaders wear the yellow bib when the third was the holder of the big globe.
On paper, the French start the season with three points to win the general classification: Julia Simon (winner in 2023), Lou Jeanmonnot (2e in 2024, four victories) and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (4e in 2024, five victories). An abundance of goods and a possible fight between teammates which does not scare their coach Cyril Burdet. On the contrary: “Managing egos is a constant in the work of a coach. But our group accepts the message that it is by being challenged that we progress and I have no doubt about its ability to maintain its excellent state of mind.”
Composed, as always, Lou Jeanmonnot does not proclaim her ambitions loudly, but does not hide them either. Justine Braisaz-Bouchet got into the general game last winter. “Until then I didn’t think I could (play it), I had never had this experience which gave me the balls for the winter to come. There is the physical aspect, scoring points, having good races, being consistent. But also the mental one and all this management of the competition, of the stakes, with who I am and how I experience it. »
Simon : “Announcing a big globe is not at all my style”
Julia Simon is more restrained. “Announcing a big globe is not at all my style and I haven’t trained with this in mind. » As at the dawn of winter 2022-2023, the Savoyarde is thinking about form, rather than substance. “My main objective is to do full races, to find regularity behind the rifle. Concrete objectives, rather than results which do not depend only on me. »
Starting with a competition determined to calm the French women’s bulimia of victories and podiums. From the Oeberg sisters, to the world n°1 Lisa Vittozzi en passant par Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold.
Morocco
Related News :