Biathlon: Emilien Claude and Antonin Guigonnat return to World Cup action
This Sunday morning, Antonin Guigonnat and Emilien Claude, the new names in the biathlon World Cup in Kontiolahti (Finland), finish their long journey to the Finnish resort.
After hours in the car to Oslo (Norway) from Idre Fjäll (Sweden), an evening flight to Helsinki (Finland) and a (short) night spent in the capital, they are now travelling by train to Joensuu (Finland), the French team’s base camp.

It was in this mode of transport that Stéphane Bouthiaux, the director of French biathlon who was also present, took the time to explain his choice of selection to Nordic Magazine.
“There was no ambiguity, he begins. Emilien [Claude] had two very good races and Antonin [Guigonnat] finished on the podium and then in the top 10, ahead of Oscar [Lombardot]. Lombardot was the third man in both sprints. So it was a purely sporting choice, there were no questions asked.”
New changes at Hochfilzen?
The director of the French teams is also delighted with the level shown by Emilien Claude and Antonin Guigonnat in the first sprint held last Thursday. “They showed that they were close to the best Norwegians in the IBU Cup, who are very strong and themselves close to the Norwegians in the World Cup, says Doubiste. This sprint is worth very good places in the World Cup.”
🔵🚨⚪🚨🔴 #Biathlon The verdict is in: Emilien Claude and Antonin Guigonnat join Kontiolahti and the World Cup.🔽https://t.co/kp59LzgdEe– Nordic Magazine (@NordicMag) November 30, 2024
This decision to retain the Vosgien and Haut-Savoyard in the World Cup means leaving Oscar Lombardot in the IBU Cup. However, Lombardot had the confidence of the federal staff in the spring and spent the entire preparation period with the A group.
“It’s difficult, but they all know well in advance how it’s going to work out, says Stéphane Bouthiaux. It’s always difficult, he was disappointed, but in a top-level career, you have to accept the rules of the game. They fight to be in front every day, whether it’s against foreign competitors or their team-mates on selection trials.”

As for the rest of December, there could be further changes in the men’s group as early as the stage in Hochfilzen (Austria).
“We’re going to see what happens at Geilo in the IBU Cup and at the World Cup in Kontiolahti, as we’ve always done, reveals the French manager. It’s up to us to be as objective as possible to decide whether we need to make an adjustment for Hochfilzen or continue with the same team.”
- The verdict is in: Emilien Claude and Antonin Guigonnat join Kontiolahti and the World Cup
- Antonin Guigonnat and Emilien Claude get off to a good start, with Oscar Lombardot in ambush: the first sprint at Idre Fjäll provides a wealth of lessons in the race for the World Cup.
- The last two men’s World Cup places will be decided in the sprints at the IBU Cup in Idre Fjäll
- “I’ll have to be a natural to produce my biathlon at 100% of what I know how to do”: Oscar Lombardot prepares to stake his place in the World Cup at the IBU Cup in Idre Fjäll
- “There’s a chance I’ll qualify, but it’s also possible I won’t make it through and my season won’t stop”: Emilien Claude’s state of mind ahead of the IBU Cup in Idre Fjäll, where he’ll be playing for his place in the World Cup.
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