Biathlon: Lou Jeanmonnot has changed dimension
A year ago, on the morning of the start of the 2023/2024 winter season, Pontissalite Lou Jeanmonnot was still just a promising member of the French women’s biathlon team. At the time, she was coming off a season in which she was ranked eleventh in the world , with two individual podium finishes.
Twelve months later, everything (or almost everything) has changed for the Doubiste from Olympic Mont d’Or. Water, a lot of water, has flowed under the bridge since Lou Jeanmonnot ended the last winter in second place in the world, winning four times on the world circuit, wearing the yellow bib, winning four world medals, including two golds, as well as a small globe.
In short, Lou Jeanmonnot has become a key figure for Les Bleues and a clear contender for the big crystal globe.
“I have more experience, less stress from the unknown and I know my opponents better, she told Nordic Magazine last Sunday after the women’s relay in Kontiolahti (Finland). I know more or less what their strengths are. I’m also older, I’ve got another year under my belt, and I’ve done around 800 hours of training. Everything is different.”
A short individual to get the ball rolling
However, the native of Pontarlier (Doubs) explains that she doesn’t want to do anything “differently” from usual. Despite her new status. “I want to do things naturally, enjoy myself, think about technique on the skis, but not too much, just enough to stay within the framework, like shooting,” she continues.
So the opening individual short, scheduled for 4.20pm on Wednesday, is a challenge for Lou Jeanmonnot, who is not very comfortable in the exercise. “It’s a great challenge, she confirms. For me, it’s difficult, you have to be involved from A to Z and it can take a long time if you’re not. Despite that, I’m really looking forward to it!”
As she’s not one to hide, the Franc-Comtoise rider went on to reiterate her desire to dream of the crystal this winter: “The challenge I’d like to face this year is to play the globe honestly, trying to keep a jersey and manage the pressure.”
- The full programme for the Kontiolahti World Cup, the first stage of the 2024/2025 season
- Corinne Niogret: my best memory of… Kontiolahti
- Top 3 nations cup target for France: the hunt for Olympic quotas for Milan/Cortina 2026, the other key issue of the 2024/2025 season
- Kontiolahti: Julia Simon undergoes an MRI scan early this afternoon
- After the opening relays, what is the programme for the second week of the Kontiolahti World Cup?
- The enthusiasm of Lou Jeanmonnot, twice second in relays on the first weekend in Kontiolahti: “My sensations and my body are improving very quickly”.
