Biathlon: Julia Simon’s suspension reshuffles the cards for the FFS selections in Bessans
Since Thursday evening, when it was announced that Julia Simon had been suspended for one month following her conviction for theft and fraud, we suspected that this sanction would have practical repercussions on the FFS selection trials organised in Bessans (Savoie) on 15, 16 and 18 November.
The 29-year-old from Beaufort will not be able to take part in the World Cup in Östersund (Sweden), which starts on 29 November. As a result, a place has become available in the French women’s squad for the first races of the winter season.
The question, however, was whether the French staff would actually take advantage of the opportunity to bring an extra girl up to the World Cup or not. The answer, as expected, is yes, as Nordic Magazine has officially learned from Stéphane Bouthiaux, director of the French biathlon teams.
“Julia Simon’s situation frees up a place for the girls at Östersund. As a result, during the selections in Bessans, three girls will each be able to take a place in the World Cup instead of two,” confirms the Doubiste. By the same token, there will be three places available for the IBU Cup, again instead of two.
Six girls in contention for three World Cup tickets, thirteen for three IBU Cup places
The World Cup tickets are still up for grabs between Camille Bened, Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, Paula Botet, Gilonne Guigonnat, Amandine Mengin and Sophie Chauveau.
The three runners-up will start their winter in the IBU Cup where they will be joined by three girls to be selected from Célia Henaff, Louis Roguet, Coralie Perrin, Lola Bugeaud, Lou-Anne Dupont Ballet-Baz, Namou Candau-Armand, Fany Bertrand, Camille Coupé, Lisa Siberchicot, Maëla Correia, Violette Bony, Eva Laine and Léonie Jeannier.
A biathlete will return to the IBU Cup after Östersund if Julia Simon returns to the World Cup in Hochfilzen
According to the selection document published online by the French Ski Federation (FFS), the biathletes selected for Östersund and Hochfilzen (Austria) should have been the same. With the latest developments in the Julia Simon affair, this will not be the case for the women.
“The four girls in Group A [Jeanne Richard, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Lou Jeanmonnot, Océane Michelon, editor’s note] will keep the benefit of the two weeks of protection, but of the three girls who will be selected in Bessans, the one who did least well in the Östersund races will drop down to the IBU Cup,” explains Stéphane Bouthiaux.
On the B circuit, to make room for this biathlete, the least successful will be sent back to the French Cup between the races in Obertilliach (Austria) and Ridnaun-Val Ridanna (Italy).
The French biathlon boss added: “If she comes back [from Hochfilzen, at the end of her suspension period, editor’s note] that will be up to her. In the meantime, Julia Simon will be preparing and training on her own. ” For the moment, I don’t know where,” concludes Stéphane Bouthiaux.
The full programme for the FFS biathlon selections in Bessans (Savoie)
Friday 14th November
- 8.00-10.45am: Official training session 1
- 5.30pm: Race committee at Le Carreley
Saturday 15 November
- 8.40am-9am: weapons check and removal of men’s skis
- 9.00am-9.20am: weapons check and women’s ski removal
- 9.00am-9.40am: Men’s and women’s shooting trials
- 9.50am: Men’s 10km sprint and women’s 7.5km sprint
Sunday 16 November
- 8.10-8.30: weapons check and removal of ladies’ skis
- 8.30am-8.50am: weapons check and removal of men’s skis
- 8.30am-9.10am: Women’s and men’s shooting trials
- 9.20 am: women’s 12.5 km mass-start
- 10.00: men’s 15 km mass-start
Monday 17th November
- 8.30am-10.45am: Official training session 2
Tuesday 18th November
- 8.40am-9am: weapons check and removal of men’s skis
- 9.00am-9.20am: weapons check and women’s ski removal
- 9.00am-9.40am: Men’s and women’s shooting trials
- 9.50am: Men’s 10km sprint and women’s 7.5km sprint
- “I recognise the facts”: Julia Simon admits to theft and fraud at her trial
- Julia Simon given three-month suspended prison sentence and fined €15,000 in bank card fraud case
- The penalty has been imposed: Julia Simon has been suspended for six months, five of which have been suspended, by the French Ski Federation’s National Disciplinary Commission.
- No training camp or races in Bessans, unable to take part in the Östersund World Cup, eligible for selection for the Olympics: the sporting consequences of Julia Simon’s one-month suspension.
- Camille Bened, Voldiya Galmace-Paulin, Paula Botet, Gilonne Guigonnat, Amandine Mengin and Sophie Chauveau: they will be fighting for two World Cup tickets in Bessans.
- Cyril Burdet on the selection of the last two Frenchwomen for the start of the World Cup: “The best way to ensure we have the best possible team”.
- Three races in four days, two sprints and a mass-start: the programme and dates for the traditional FFS selections in Bessans.
- The full list of biathletes invited to take part in the FFS selections in Bessans on 15, 16 and 18 November
