Julia Simon and Lou Jeanmonnot on the podium in Antholz, where Justine Braisaz-Bouchet is missing

When one of the French biathletes is in difficulty, there are always others to take over. This season especially. While Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, second in the general classification of the World Cup, is going through a more difficult time (outside the top 30), it is Julia Simon and Lou Jeanmonnot who took over, Friday January 19 in Antholz (Italy) . They finish 2^e and 3^e of the individual race, opening this weekend in the transalpine resort.

In Ruhpolding, during the previous round of the World Cup calendar, the French team had stalled slightly, failing to achieve any individual podium. In Germany, Lou Jeanmonnot finished 4 twice^e place during sprinting and pursuit.

Thanks to this second place in Italy, Julia Simon confirms her clear return to form two weeks before the world championships in Nove Mesto (February 5 to 18). It also dates back to the 5^e place in the general classification, one point behind the Swede Elvira Öberg. The leader, the Norwegian Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, missed her second standing shot (three errors) and limited the damage by finally finishing 12^e of this individual race.

Tandrevold still at the top of the general classification

This time, in Italy, Simon, 18 out of 20 in shooting, failed 20 seconds behind the Swiss Lena Häcki-Gross, while Jeanmonnot, 19 out of 20 in shooting, took 3^e place at 31.4 s. This is Häcki-Gross’s first World Cup victory in this new shortened format, from 20 to 15 km with 45 seconds of penalty added to each shooting error.

Back on the main circuit, the Frenchwoman Gilonne Guigonnat snatched an excellent 15^e place. On Saturday, the Italian stage of the Biathlon World Cup continues with two relays which do not count for the general classification: the single mixed relay (one man and one woman) and the mixed team relay (two women and two men ).

Sunday will take place the men’s and women’s mass start (line start). The opportunity for Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, 2^e 38 points behind Tandrevold, to recover; and for Julia Simon and Lou Jeanmonnot to confirm their fitness.