Biathlon: Lou Jeanmonnot 60 points behind Franziska Preuss in the overall standings
Lou Jeanmonnot came seventh in the individual short at the Biathlon World Cup in Pokljuka (Slovenia). With a score of 18/20, she lost ground on Franziska Preuss (20/20), third on the day, in the overall rankings. However, the Doubiste skier secured the small globe in the speciality.
After his race, Lou Jeanmonnot took time out to talk to Nordic Magazine in the mixed zone. Interview.
- What’s more important to you at the finish: the satisfaction of winning the individual globe or the frustration of losing points for the general classification?
A bit of both… Emotionally, everything is extremely strong. I feel like crying all the time just to say how difficult it is. It’s another level of biathlon. I know how to do the traditional biathlon, the one that just requires you to ski fast and shoot well, and I’m learning the one that requires you to fight against yourself, to block out negative thoughts, stress and pressure. It was really hard standing on the shooting range! That’s where my emotions come out the most, but in a way I’m relatively proud.
- Why is this?
I’ve rarely fought so hard on a shot, I held on to my rifle like crazy. I’ve never done that before. I’m proud of this 18/20 because I went out and got it. I’m disappointed that I missed out on some big points once again, which could easily have been scored with an extra bullet, but there’s a bit of pride behind that 18/20.
- Was it the pressure of the result or the fact that it was an individual shot that took you so long to stand up?
There’s a bit of everything. I was determined to get a really good shot off, but I felt very nervous at the start of the race. I felt inhibited by my stress. It can manifest itself in 15 billion different ways, like over-excitement, as was the case in Nove Mesto. That time, I got up and was yawning all the time, I was all sluggish. Each time, I have to find a different way to respond to this stress in the best possible way. Today [Thursday], I decided to take my time, even if it meant taking 10 seconds longer to shoot.
- Franziska Preuss did 20/20 and was very strong. How do you experience these races with the general classification in your sights?
It’s difficult. I ask myself a lot of questions, I go over everything all the time… It’s really something I’m discovering. I’ve never experienced anything like it! It’s cool and I appreciate it because it’s what I’ve always wanted, to fight for it, but it takes a lot of juice [laughs]. I’m disappointed, but anything can happen in four races! I’m not going to give anything up. I’m looking forward to the head-to-head races because there’s a lot more adrenalin and excitement.
[With Julie and Marie Le Bobinnec, in Pokljuka].
- The full programme for the Pokljuka World Cup, the eighth stage of the 2024/2025 season
- Corinne Niogret: my best memory of… Pokljuka
- Lou Jeanmonnot vs Franziska Preuss and Johannes Thingnes Boe vs Sturla Holm Lægreid: in Pokljuka, a high-risk individual race in the race for the big crystal globe
