Biathlon: five Frenchwomen in the top six at Ridnaun-Val Ridanna
While the 2025 European Biathlon Championships, held last week in Martell-Val Martello (Italy), were not a resounding success for the French women on an individual level, performances picked up again on Wednesday.
In theIBU Cup sprintat Ridnaun-Val Ridanna (Italy), six French riders finished in the top 9 and five in the top 6. Right at the front was young Montblanc rider Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, who won for the first time in her career on the B circuit at the age of 19.
With an impeccable 10/10 on the mats and the third fastest time on the cross-country track, the native of Lille won by 16 sec 3 over Paula Botet (9/10). At the same time, she took command of the overall standings.
Competing this week for the last ticket to the World Championships, the Vosges native scored big points with her second place, as Sophie Chauveau (7/10) was fifth and Gilonne Guigonnat (9/10) sixth. Two biathletes pushed back to within a minute of the lead. WithAmandine Mengin (9/10) in fourth place and Norway’s Marthe Kraakstad Johansen (10/10) in third, the flower ceremony was 83% French.
Austria’s Lea Rothschopf (9/10), Norway’s Juni Arnekleiv (8/10), Chablais’ Camille Bened (8/10), ninth (and sixth Frenchwoman of the day), and Norway’s Karoline Erdal (9/10) follow in the top 10.
Full results
IBU Cup general ranking
- The full programme for the Ridnaun-Val Ridanna IBU Cup, the seventh stage of the 2024/2025 B circuit season
- Paula Botet back in contention for a place at the World Championships, only four boys: the French team selection for the IBU Cup in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna
- “We’ve decided to pit them against each other in the IBU Cup”: Paula Botet, Sophie Chauveau and Gilonne Guigonnat will battle it out for sixth place at the Worlds in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna.
- “They each have their own profile”: it’s time for Paula Botet, Gilonne Guigonnat and Sophie Chauveau to battle it out for the last place at the World Championships in Lenzerheide.
- IBU Cup Ridnaun-Val Ridanna: German David Zobel wins the sprint by a whisker ahead of Sivert Guttorm Bakken and Paul Schommer, with Les Bleus outside the top 10
