Biathlon: Julia Simon, the individual world champion, wins in Pokljuka
This season, in the women’s individual biathlon, the French have been imperial. After Lou Jeanmonnot ‘s brilliant successes in Kontiolahti (Finland) and Ruhpolding (Germany), Julia Simon took up the torch last month at the world championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland).
A gold medallist in this format, which, like many biathletes, she doesn’t much like, the woman from Beaufort repeated the feat at midday on Thursday at the World Cup in Pokljuka (Slovenia). Managing her effort perfectly despite a slightly sore nose and a lack of fitness, Julia Simon made her task easier by scoring 20/20 against the targets. Winner of the pursuit in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic) last weekend, the customs officer has now notched up her second consecutive individual success on the world circuit.
As she explained in the mixed zone, Julia Simon was “very happy with her race”. It’s a logical satisfaction that has enabled her to consolidate her position as world number 3 in the overall rankings. The duel between Franziska Preuss and Lou Jeanmonnot was a key issue in this individual short. With a score of 20/20, the German did the job, while the Doubiste native managed 18/20.
Lou Jeanmonnot takes the small globe… and lets Franziska Preuss regain ground
Third at the finish, Franziska Preuss took back points from her opponent, who was seventh in the rankings, after having fought a huge mental battle on the shooting range throughout her race. Lou Jeanmonnot , however, consoled herself by winning the small crystal globe for the speciality.
Third on the podium was Sweden’s Hanna Oeberg (19/20). Missing the final ball on her last standing shot, she finished 39 sec 1 behind Julia Simon.
Anna-Karin Heijdenberg (19/20) took a magnificent fourth place ahead of Océane Michelon (18/20), the new wearer of the blue bib, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (18/20) and, of course, Lou Jeanmonnot (18/20). Jeanne Richard (18/10) is tenth. It should be remembered that Sophie Chauveau was ill and had to withdraw from the individual short at the start of the morning.
Imperial 🏆
20/20 shooting, a demonstration of strength and a new World Cup victory for Julia Simon 🇫🇷 in the Pokljuka individual!
7️⃣e of the day, Lou Jeanmonnot secures the crystal globe 🔮 in the individual 👏 pic.twitter.com/juBHeacZW0– FFS – Fédération Française de Ski (@FedFranceSki) March 13, 2025
Full results
- 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
