Biathlon: Cyril Burdet reviews Julia Simon’s winter
Behind the exploits of Lou Jeanmonnot from Doubs, who finished second overall in the biathlon World Cup after a tremendous duel with Franziska Preuss, Julia Simon from Beaufort was the most consistent Frenchwoman of the 2024/2025 winter season.
Third in the world and winner of four world titles, including the individual title in Lenzerheide (Switzerland), she had a more than solid year.
“I see her season as one of transition. She’d just had two successful winters, one with the big globe and then another with a clearly stated, and validated, goal of the World Championships,” analyses her coach Cyril Burdet for Nordic Magazine. This year, the start-up was a little more complicated after a tricky end to her preparation. She struggled to find her rhythm, particularly in terms of physical fitness, and her start to the season was a little dented because of that.
“The most important thing to remember is her ability to be there on D-Day”.
Despite this, Julia Simon ended the winter with a number of prestigious successes under her belt.
Even so, she has an excellent record, finishing third overall and returning from the world championships with four gold medals,” says the Savoie-based coach. What’s important to remember is her ability to be there on D-Day and to be there when you need her, especially at major events.
Another of Cyril Burdet’s favourite races of the season was the mixed relay run by the Savoyard woman from Les Saisies (Savoie). After falling on the first lap and being shaken up, Julia Simon made a perfect run to take the lead.
Her reaction after that fall is one of the things I find exceptional about her,” says the French coach. Anyone in her place would have gone through it and probably crashed the relay. But she’s the complete opposite: not only does she get back up, but she pulls off an incredible run to take the lead! Her ability to bounce back and cope with difficulty is incredible.
