Biathlon | French sprint champion in Arçon, Chloé Chevalier has rediscovered her pleasure after her doubts: “I didn’t know if I was capable of competing with the girls”

Biathlon: Chloé Chevalier is back

This Saturday lunchtime, in the sunshine ofArçon (Doubs), Chloé Chevalier was smiling again. She had struggled throughout last winter, particularly with a bout of mononucleosis, and even had to put away her skis and rifle for a few weeks at the height of the season.

Once the snow had disappeared, the Isère native embarked on a long period of reflection: at 28, should she continue her career? The answer was yes, and she returned to training for a season in the French national team’s B group. “I went back to training very late this year because it took me a long time to decide whether or not to go back,” she told Nordic Magazine after the Summer Tour d’Arçon sprint.

In the Saugeais, Chloé Chevalier won the sprint ahead of Lou Jeanmonnot and Julia Simon, two of the best biathletes in the world. A victory synonymous with a national title in the speciality, but above all a new-found pleasure.

“Winter’s not here yet, but it’s good for the heart”

“It’s still a preparation race, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure I’d make it this far when I started training again, she admits. I’m very happy to have been at the start because it wasn’t a foregone conclusion. It was unexpected to win because I know that I’m a bit behind in my preparation compared to other years. I’m really enjoying this victory. I didn’t know if I was capable of competing with the girls. Winter’s not here yet, but it’s good to be back.”

Chloé Chevalier won the gold medalby beating local contender Lou Jeanmonnot by 8 tenths of a second after putting up a fight on the last lap. “It didn’t take much longer”, she laughs. This Sunday afternoon, in the pursuit where she could confirm her return to the forefront, the biathlete from Villard-de-Lans (Isère) will have her work cut out. But she sees nothing but positives.

“It’s going to be good to ski a bit with the girls who are the fastest on the World Cup. It’s great to get your bearings,” she concludes.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

_{(With Pablo Henriques, in Arçon)}

• Arçon: Augustin Remonnnay wins the U17 sprint on home soil after a thrilling finale
• Arçon: Adèle Ouvrier-Buffet, with 10/10, wins the U17 women’s sprint
• Summer Tour d’Arçon: Chloé Chevalier crowned French sprint champion 8 tenths ahead of Lou Jeanmonnot
• Arçon: U19 women’s sprint for Dauphinoise Léna Moretti
• The full programme for the Summer Tour d’Arçon, support event for the French senior sprint and pursuit championships
• Roman Rees, Erika Jänkä, Florent Claude, Maxime Germain and Arnaud Du Pasquier: the full list of foreign athletes taking part in the Summer Tour d’Arçon.
• Why will Océane Michelon and Eric Perrot be wearing yellow bibs in the Summer Tour d’Arçon sprint?
• Overall rankings for the U17, U19 and U22 French summer championships ahead of the Summer Tour d’Arçon
• After three weeks at altitude between Italy and Prémanon, Eric Perrot is looking ahead to the Summer Tour d’Arçon: “It’s very specific training, which is important for me.
• Summer Tour: who are the title holders and former winners of the Arçon sprint and pursuit?
• Anaëlle Bondoux withdraws from the Summer Tour d’Arçon after a fall on ski-wheels
• Summer Tour: Nordic Magazine stand in Arçon selling the new comic book and the new Biathlon Magazine