Biathlon | Anaëlle Bondoux talks to Nordic Magazine about her start to the winter spent between the IBU Cup and the Junior Cup: “I was able to enjoy myself again by playing up front”

Biathlon: Anaëlle Bondoux talks to Nordic Magazine

Since the start of the winter, many French biathletes have shone on the IBU Cup circuit. Paula Botet, who earned her place at the World Cup in Oberhof (Germany), Chloé Chevalier, Camille Bened, Fany Bertrand and Gilonne Guigonnat all finished on the podium. Grenoble’s Anaëlle Bondoux didn’t make it.

After suffering a concussion in October and then falling ill in November, the Iséroise rider still hasn’t found the right carburation. Dropped back to the Junior Cup before Christmas, she is aiming for a return to the B circuit this weekend at the French Cup in Prémanon (Jura). Before that, Anaëlle Bondoux agreed to talk to Nordic Magazine about the start of her season. Interview.

• How would you sum up your start to the season?

December wasn’t an easy month because I had my fall on ski-wheels and then an illness just after that to finish my preparation. So my start to the IBU Cup season really didn’t go well because I had to battle with a form that was far below what I would have liked. I had to go home and then I went to the Junior Cup to race at a slightly lower level so that I could finish December in races where I could enjoy myself physically.

• Was it your choice to go to the Junior Cup?

Generally, if you come down from the IBU Cup when you’re a junior, it’s more or less the normal route to go to the Junior Cup. After that, I was given the choice of going or not because the coaches and staff didn’t want me to go if I felt too sick or tired. The week between the two, I had medical tests to see where I was at. It showed that I could do these races without taking any risks, even if I wasn’t in great shape. So I went there to do a more complete biathlon. The Junior Cup is a circuit that allows you to be out in front even if you’re not at 100%.

• On your form, your return took longer than expected…

I was very affected by this virus, which attacked my bronchi and caused me general fatigue. I’m feeling better now, even if I don’t feel in top form. In any case, I’ll be able to fight with more than enough weapons to do some great things on a circuit like the IBU Cup.

• It was the symptoms of your illness rather than the effects of your concussion that caused you problems in December…

As the two followed each other without interruption, it’s difficult to know. In terms of the discomfort I may still have, it’s in my bronchial tubes, so it’s more the illness that makes me think of that.

• Have you felt any positive effects from your time in the Junior Cup?

It was really good for me! I was able to approach the races with a lot less pressure. In the IBU Cup, I knew I had to shoot 100% because I wasn’t in good enough shape to have any margin. In the Junior Cup, I could afford to make a few shooting mistakes and there was less pressure on me. In the end, it allowed me to improve my shooting! I was able to enjoy playing up front again.

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• Despite the disappointment of failing to shine in the IBU Cup, you seem to be taking something positive from the start of the winter…

When you’re still a junior and you go to the Junior Cup and win the two races you take part in, it’s not a totally bad record. A lot of people would sign up for that! I shouldn’t denigrate the Junior Cup, even though I was used to the IBU Cup last year and that’s what interests me the most.

• This weekend, at the Coupe de France in Prémanon (Jura), you can look forward to the IBU Cup…

I was able to prepare well over the Christmas break and I’m actually going to Prémanon to try and re-qualify for the IBU Cup in January. Among the women, the level is very tight and there’s only one place left! I have a lot of respect for the girls I’ll be competing with. I know it won’t be easy. I’m going to give it my all! As a junior, I’ll always have a second option with the European Junior Championships. It’s a chance I’ve got and it takes a bit of pressure off me. That can only mean success!

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• Anaëlle Bondoux and Martin Botet arrive, Eva Laine and Benjamin De Grimaudet leave De Rochebouet: the French selection for the Junior Cup in Goms
• Goms: Anaëlle Bondoux crushes the sprint in her return to the Junior Cup
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