Biathlon: France runners-up in the junior mixed relay
On Friday afternoon, Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, Amandine Mengin, Gaëtan Paturel and Edgar Geny won the silver medal in the mixed relay at the world junior biathlon championships in Östersund (Sweden). Second behind Germany, they put in an incredible performance on the cross-country skis, putting more than 2 minutes between them and their opponents.
However, the shooting wasn’t up to scratch, with Les Bleus turning four times on the penalty ring and picking twelve times to go for gold. As they stepped off the podium, they all agreed to talk to Nordic Magazine about their day.
Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, first relay runner (1+4)
“I had a really good feeling on the skis and I saw that the Bulgarian [Valentina Dimitrova] went very fast in the first round. I didn’t panic and I got to the rail with her. I can see that she’s starting to shoot and I think I got a bit nervous… Unfortunately, I’m going to do a penalty lap, but I knew that I’d make up a lot of time on the track. I held on to the stand with a pickaxe. That allowed me to hand over to Amandine [Mengin] in second place.
“We knew we were a little behind the Germans, but that we were playing with the Austrians for the medal! It all came down to the last shot, where Edgar [Geny] did a great job, and then the last lap. It’s always a bit special to win a medal in a relay, and you think about the whole French team. It’s really cool for everyone in the team! With the number of rings we did, it’s a good thing we skied well. Even though we knew that if we’d put more balls in, we could have played even more up front, we’re still happy with this silver medal.
Amandine Mengin, second relay runner (0+1)
“I was launched into a good position by Voldiya [Galmace-Paulin] so I did my little race. I have to admit that I didn’t feel at my best on skis. In the warm-up, it wasn’t that great, but it wasn’t any worse when I got on the skis for the race. I didn’t have too much juice to put in, but it got better and better as the laps went by.
“In the shoot, I missed the last one on the recumbent, then I quickly put the pin in and filled up on the standing. To be honest, I was a bit worried about the standing and in the end it went really well! To finish, I did a big last lap to catch up with the Bulgarian who was 20 seconds ahead when I left the shooting range. I’m so happy!
“After my race, I quickly went to recover so I was cheering from the piste. I just followed Gaëtan’s [Paturel] prone shot and then I was on the skis. So I wasn’t really watching what was happening on the shooting range! It was just stressful on the last lap. Of course, I’m very happy to share this medal with the team. We fought hard, it wasn’t easy, especially on the shooting range. Even with four rounds to go, we’re still capable of going for a medal… it’s just incredible!
Gaëtan Paturel, third relay (3+5)
“Personally, it was pretty much a horrible race, so I’m very disappointed. Three laps down, that starts the race in the wrong way… I still have a great feeling on the track, but behind the rifle it was a real ordeal. It was very complicated to manage. I’m going to try and find some solutions for the rest of the race.
“The wait at the end of the race was extremely special for me because I was disappointed with my finish… I didn’t feel I deserved to have a medal around my neck after taking those three penalty laps. When I saw that Edgar [Geny] was out in front with some good shots, I could see that it could work! I’m happy with the way he finished the race. It’s always nice to win a medal in a relay, and I’m pleased too because it’s my first at the Worlds. After that, it’s hard to appreciate it with my complicated race.
Edgar Geny, fourth relay player (0+3)
“I’m really happy with my whole race! I felt really good on the skis, as I did in the individual. It was a really enjoyable race where I was able to play elbows with the Austrian [Fabian Muellauer] on the piste and in the shooting. The two standing picks may have cost us the win… Then, on the last lap, I had a big scare just after I’d pulled away from the Austrian. I fell! But I was able to put that right and go on to take second place.
“As there were quite a few twists and turns at the start of the race, I tried to get away from it all and not think about it. I wanted to do my race and then see what the result would be. With the penalty laps for Voldiya [Galmace-Paulin] and Gaëtan [Paturel], it was a rollercoaster, but they held their own on the skis and it wasn’t that far to go to win.
“I’m delighted to win this medal. It means a lot to me personally and as a team. It’s been a rather unsettling season for me, without too many outstanding results. Of course, it’s not an individual race, but it says a lot for me. I hadn’t been on the podium at the Worlds for four years!
- The full programme for the World Youth and Junior Championships in Östersund
- With Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, Amandine Mengin, Gaëtan Paturel and Anaëlle Bondoux: the French team selection for the 2025 World Youth and Junior Championships in Östersund.
- Östersund: despite a ruptured ulnar collateral ligament in her left thumb, Anaëlle Bondoux will be lining up at the start of the World Junior Championships
- After a difficult start to the season, Antonin Guy has bounced back to secure his place at the World Youth Championships: “It’s like a reward for all the work we’ve put in since mid-January”.
- “We had to fight right to the end to get this ticket”: how Alice Dusserre qualified for the World Youth Championships in Östersund by the skin of her teeth.
- “I’m going there with the desire to take responsibility for my biathlon”: at the Junior Worlds in Östersund, Corentin Jacob returns to international competition two years after his last selection
- Östersund: Ilona Plechacova individual world youth champion, Lola Bugeaud sixth
- Östersund World Youth Championships: Antonin Guy in individual gold for the second year running, Léo Carlier in bronze
- “A real achievement”, “It feels great”: Antonin Guy and Léo Carlier, gold and bronze medallists in the individual event at the World Youth Championships in Östersund, talk about their race.
- Östersund: Célia Henaff becomes world junior individual champion, silver for Amandine Mengin
- Junior Cup: Bresse’s Amandine Mengin, second in Östersund, wins the individual globe
- Célia Henaff, new world junior individual champion: “A first victory, a first medal, a first 20/20”.
- “I’m really shocked”: Amandine Mengin, silver medallist in the individual event at the Junior Worlds and winner of the small globe, wasn’t expecting this…
- Östersund: Sivert Gerhardsen individual world junior champion, Edgar Geny eighth
- Östersund Youth World Championships: Louise Roguet, Lola Bugeaud, Camille Grataloup-Manissolle and Léo Carlier bronze medallists in the mixed relay won by Norway
- Östersund: despite four penalty laps and a fall, Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, Amandine Mengin, Gaëtan Paturel and Edgar Geny are runners-up in the junior mixed relay.
