Frenchwoman Lou Jeanmonnot won the sprint and the pursuit this weekend, and becomes a candidate for the general classification. Among the men, Sebastian Samuelsson made a strong impression.
After a first career victory in the sprint, thanks to a 10/10 and a good skiing time, Lou Jeanmonnot offered herself a magnificent double on Sunday by once again signing a flawless shooting, and ahead by one breathes Franziska Preuss on the finish line. The young Frenchwoman (25 years old) is a candidate for the big Crystal Globe, which should be hotly contested this year. She is only three points behind Preuss, and her compatriot Vanessa Voigt who completes the podium.
The Germans benefit from their superb glide, thanks to more efficient waxing than other nations, which allows them to be more competitive on skis. Julia Simon, reigning world champion, is still too irregular in shooting, like the other tricolor Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and the Oeberg sisters. The Norwegians are in ambush (there are four of them in the top 8 in the general classification), while the Italians Lisa Vittozzi and Dorothea Wierer are too slow on skis at the moment.
Samuelsson on top, Boe and the French not in good shape
Among the men, it was the Swede Sebastian Samuelsson who made a very strong impression on Sunday, winning the pursuit despite three shooting errors and starting fourth. He was much faster than his competitors, notably Philipp Nawrath, winner of the sprint on Saturday and second in the pursuit on Sunday. The German nevertheless retains the lead in the general classification ahead of Samuelsson, and there are five Norwegians in the top eight.
Johannes Boe is less dominant than last year on skis, and still too hesitant when shooting, while his competitor Sturla Laegreid is completely out of shape. Similar observation for the French: Quentin Fillon-Maillet and Emilien Jacquelin are at the level on the skis but not on the shooting range, and only Fabien Claude manages to play the leading roles at the start of the season. But winter is still long.
Norway wins both relays
On the relay, the Norwegians lived up to their reputation, dominating the other nations without question. France managed to secure second place thanks to a superb final shot from Quentin Fillon-Maillet, getting the better of the Germans. Sweden, at home, was disappointing by only finishing sixth, weighed down by too frequent shooting errors.
In the women’s relay, Norway won gold, ahead of Sweden and Germany. The French relay was disappointing, too irregular in shooting. The tricolors finished in fifth place, but almost two minutes and thirty seconds behind the winners. Chloé Chevalier, second runner, unfortunately missed her standing shot, taking a penalty lap. Justine Braisaz-Bouchet didn’t really succeed in redressing the situation, and Julia Simon was already too far gone. Italy, deprived of an ill Lisa Vittozzi, also finished very far away.
What is the program for the Biathlon World Cup?
In 2023-2024, biathletes will compete in nine World Cup stages and the world championships in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic):
- Östersund (Sweden): from November 25 to December 3, 2023
- Hochfilzen (Austria): December 8 to 10, 2023
- Lenzerheide (Switzerland): from December 14 to 17, 2023
- Oberhof (Germany): January 4 to 7, 2024
- Ruhpolding (Germany): January 10 to 14, 2024
- Antholz-Anterselva (Italy): from January 18 to 22, 2024
- World Championships in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic): February 7 to 18, 2024
- Oslo-Holmenkollen (Norway): from February 29 to March 3, 2024
- Soldier Hollow (United States): March 8 to 10, 2024
- Canmore (Canada): March 14 to 17, 2024
What is the schedule for the Biathlon World Cup?
The Biathlon World Cup calendar for the 2023/2024 season has been unveiled by the IBU (International Biathlon Union). Here is the schedule:
Ostersund (November 25-December 3)
- 25/11 – Single mixed relay (12:30 p.m.)
- 25/11 – Mixed relay (2:50 p.m.)
- 26/11 – Women’s individual (11:20 a.m.)
- 26/11 – Men’s individual (2:30 p.m.)
- 29/11 – Women’s relay (3:20 p.m.)
- 30/11 – Men’s relay (3:20 p.m.)
- 01/12 – Women’s sprint (2:45 p.m.)
- 02/12 – Men’s sprint (2:45 p.m.)
- 03/12 – Women’s pursuit (2:00 p.m.)
- 03/12 – Men’s pursuit (4:00 p.m.)
Hochfilzen (December 8-10)
- 08/12 – Men’s sprint (11:30 a.m.)
- 08/12 – Women’s sprint (2:25 p.m.)
- 09/12 – Men’s pursuit (12:15 p.m.)
- 09/12 – Women’s pursuit (2:45 p.m.)
- 10/12 – Men’s relay (11:30 a.m.)
- 10/12 – Women’s relay (2:15 p.m.)
Lenzerheide (December 14-17)
- 14/12 – Women’s sprint (2:15 p.m.)
- 15/12 – Men’s sprint (2:15 p.m.)
- 16/12 – Women’s pursuit (12:30 p.m.)
- 16/12 – Men’s pursuit (2:30 p.m.)
- 17/12 – Mass start women (12:30 p.m.)
- 17/12 – Mass start men (2:45 p.m.)
Oberhof (January 4-7)
- 04/01 – Men’s sprint (2:20 p.m.)
- 05/01 – Women’s sprint (2:25 p.m.)
- 06/01 – Men’s pursuit (12:25 p.m.)
- 06/01 – Women’s pursuit (2:40 p.m.)
- 07/01 – Men’s relay (11:30 a.m.)
- 07/01 – Women’s relay (2:25 p.m.)
Ruhpolding (January 10-14)
- 10/01 – Women’s relay (2:30 p.m.)
- 11/01 – Men’s relay (2:30 p.m.)
- 12/01 – Women’s sprint (2:30 p.m.)
- 13/01 – Men’s sprint (2:30 p.m.)
- 14/01 – Women’s pursuit (12:30 p.m.)
- 14/01 – Men’s pursuit (2:45 p.m.)
Antholz-Anterselva (January 18-21)
- 18/01 – Men’s short individual (2:20 p.m.)
- 01/19 – Women’s short individual (2:20 p.m.)
- 20/01 – Single mixed relay (12:55 p.m.)
- 20/01 – Mixed relay (2:45 p.m.)
- 01/21 – Men’s mass start (12:30 p.m.)
- 21/01 – Mass start women (2:45 p.m.)
Nove Mesto World Championships (February 7-18)
- 7/02 – Mixed relay (5:20 p.m.)
- 9/02 – Women’s sprint (5:20 p.m.)
- 10/02 – Men’s sprint (5:05 p.m.)
- 11/02 – Women’s pursuit (2:30 p.m.)
- 11/02 – Men’s pursuit (5:05 p.m.)
- 02/13 – Women’s individual (5:10 p.m.)
- 02/14 – Men’s individual (5:20 p.m.)
- 15/02 – Single mixed relay (6:00 p.m.)
- 02/17 – Women’s relay (1:45 p.m.)
- 02/17 – Men’s relay (4:30 p.m.)
- 02/18 – Mass start women (2:15 p.m.)
- 02/18 – Men’s mass start (4:30 p.m.)
Oslo (February 29-March 3)
- 02/29 – Women’s individual (2:15 p.m.)
- 01/03 – Men’s individual (2:15 p.m.)
- 02/03 – Mass start women (1:20 p.m.)
- 02/03 – Mass start men (3:20 p.m.)
- 03/03 – Single mixed relay (12:45 p.m.)
- 03/03 – Mixed relay (2:45 p.m.)
Soldier Hollow (March 8-10)
- 08/03 – Men’s relay (8:25 p.m.)
- 08/03 – Women’s sprint (11:00 p.m.)
- 09/03 – Women’s relay (8:25 p.m.)
- 09/03 – Men’s sprint (11:00 p.m.)
- 10/03 – Women’s pursuit (5:00 p.m.)
- 10/03 – Men’s pursuit (6:50 p.m.)
Canmore (March 14-17)
- 14/03 – Men’s sprint (5:40 p.m.)
- 03/15 – Women’s sprint (5:40 p.m.)
- 16/03 – Men’s pursuit (12:50 p.m.)
- 16/03 – Women’s pursuit (3:10 p.m.)
- 17/03 – Mass start men (12:50 p.m.)
- 03/17 – Mass start women (3:10 p.m.)
Who is in the French biathlon team?
Women :
- Justine Braisaz-Bouchet
- Chloe Chevalier
- Julia Simon
- Lou Jeanmonnot
- Caroline Colombo
- Sophie Chauveau
Men:
- Fabien Claude
- Quentin Fillon-Maillet
- Antonin Guigonnat
- Emilien Jacquelin
- Eric Perrot
- Emilien Claude or Oscar Lombardot
When are the Nove Mesto Worlds taking place?
This 2023/2024 biathlon season will be marked by the world championships taking place in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic). From February 7 to 18, biathletes from each nation will meet at the World Championships to try to win medals. Here is the schedule for the world championships:
- 7/02 – Mixed relay (5:20 p.m.)
- 9/02 – Women’s sprint (5:20 p.m.)
- 10/02 – Men’s sprint (5:05 p.m.)
- 11/02 – Women’s pursuit (2:30 p.m.)
- 11/02 – Men’s pursuit (5:05 p.m.)
- 02/13 – Women’s individual (5:10 p.m.)
- 02/14 – Men’s individual (5:20 p.m.)
- 15/02 – Single mixed relay (6:00 p.m.)
- 02/17 – Women’s relay (1:45 p.m.)
- 02/17 – Men’s relay (4:30 p.m.)
- 02/18 – Mass start women (2:15 p.m.)
- 02/18 – Men’s mass start (4:30 p.m.)