Winter is barely here. The one on the calendar starts in a few days. That of biathlon is still nascent. Two weekends, in Kontiolahti and Hochfilzen, and five individual races, for both men and women. Too early for definitive conclusions, but not for the first lessons. For the French team, the results are good. Very good, even. Four victories. Nine podiums. In ten races. Much better than last year. Day and night, even.
Above all, what is astonishing is the homogeneity and density of the French biathlon at the start of the season. The nine podiums come from seven different athletes. On the boys’ side, Emilien Jacquelin (2), Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon Maillet and Fabien Claude (1). For the girls, Lou Jeanmonnot (2), Julia Simon and Sophie Chauveau (1). It’s almost surprising, especially among the boys, who were having an extremely complicated season, without the slightest podium in the World Cup before March!
Alone in the world, the arrival of Jeanmonnot in Hochfilzen
Video credit: Eurosport
French biathlon is having a rare start to the season. Exceptional, even, for our consultant Lois Habert. “We have French results that we have never known, all the samehe emphasizes. I know everyone likes to say that, but it’s true. In the sense that we already had triplets, things like that, but it was more three boys who walked hard and behind, it was harder. There, we have the impression that the six who are up there can get on the podium. Let’s say five for boys but six for girls.”
Collective strength = less individual pressure
Why this sudden improvement? Why now? No doubt, in part, for cyclical reasons. “I’m not proud to say it because it sounds a bit old bitter, but I still think that at the moment, there is roomsmiles Lois Habert. There are no Russians, no Belarusians, almost no Ukrainians. Already, these are three pretty biathlon nations which are leaving room. The Belarusians, among the boys, had been less there for a while, but among the girls it was going strong. Russia is a nation that played in front. All this allows athletes who were usually between 15 and 40 to win a bunch of places and have more opportunities..”
His first mass start and the yellow bib, Perrot won everything: the video summary
Video credit: Eurosport
Paradoxically, the Blues shine today without an essential leader, which has often been their prerogative. Raphaël Poirée, formerly. Martin Fourcade, obviously. In the much more recent past, too. Quentin Fillon Maillet three years ago, or Julia Simon two winters ago. This time, at least for the moment, no head emerges from the fray to the point of crushing the whole thing. But if someone falls through, there will always be another element to take over.
This form of emulation suits the group well, including those who, in the past, were able (or had to) take all the limelight. This is the case for Julia Simon, who is struggling a bit physically at the start of the season. “Frankly, I leave the light to others, there is no problem, the latter joked at our microphone before the start of this 2024-2025 campaign. It’s very good. There are three of us with very good results, plus the three who are pushing us behind and who want to take our place. When there is a leader, you have all the pressure on yourself, you always have to perform. There, if we miss out on a race, we have a good chance that one of the girls will do well. It allows you to have the media a little less on your back.”
Julia Simon even says that she has “less feeling of having to be accountable.” Leadership is a privilege, but it is also a weight, more or less heavy to carry depending on the personality. In fact, at the start of the season when almost everyone is coming out of the woods, each in turn, no one He had to take on this role. Éric Perrot and Lou Jeanmonnot wore the yellow bib. Emilien Jacquelin skied like a rocket. Fabien Claude went to get his first box in four years. THE others and vice versa.
Jacquelin: “I didn’t know we were doing French history!”
Video credit: Eurosport
A dozen “podium-worthy” people?
Will this phenomenon continue throughout the winter, or will it be necessary that at one point or another, a leader emancipate himself and assume his ability to play a major role in the general ranking? Lois Habert sees a profile that stands out from the crowd. That of Lou Jeanmonnot, the only one with Johannes Boe to have two victories this season.
“She may take a lot this year, he tells us. She is gaining confidence. Above all, his yellow bibs don’t scare him. Carrying it is very hard. We saw it with someone like Justine (Braisaz-Bouchet), who is more sensitive. It is restrictive in terms of logistics. The press conferences, the constant anti-doping controls, the media calling all over the place because we have a role to play… But she manages it well. We see it in the way he talks about it. She doesn’t avoid the subject.“
Simon Fourcade: “Perrot? He has no limits”
Video credit: Eurosport
The fact remains that the emergence of a Jeanmonnot in no way modifies the current DNA of this French team, which lives more than ever by the strength of numbers. And it’s probably not over yet. Consider that Justine Braisaz-Bouchet has not even reached the podium yet. So, will we see around ten French biathletes on the podium this winter, knowing that counting those who will move up to A at one time or another, there will undoubtedly be around fifteen competing in World Cup events?
“That would mean that two thirds of French people would see the podiumrecalls Lois Habert. That would be huge but, yes, this scenario is clearly feasible. Océane Michelon, she’s going to slam him. Jeanne Richard too. They’re a little tender, but they’re going to take it out on their podium at some point.” Already unusual, the collective achievements of the French group could therefore even frankly become historic in the months to come.
Implacable Jacquelin in relay: the moment when the Blues took over the Norwegians
Video credit: Eurosport
