French Women Make History at Lenzerheide World Championships
The Lenzerheide (Switzerland) World Championships have etched themselves into the annals of French biathlon history. Thanks to the triumph of Lou Jeanmonnot, Océane Michelon, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, and Julia Simon in the women’s relay event on Saturday, February 22, the French team equaled their record for medals (11) and titles (6) won in a single edition of the World Championships.
From start to finish, "Les Bleues" dominated their opponents, winning by more than a minute over the second-place Norwegians and 1 minute 45 seconds over the third-place Swedes. This dominant display allowed the French women to retain their World Championship title, which they had won for the first time in 2024 in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
Once again, the French team was stacked with talent. Prior to the start of the race, the French women competing in the relay had already won seven medals: three gold for Julia Simon (mixed relay, single relay, individual), one gold (sprint) and one bronze (pursuit) for Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, and one gold (mixed relay) and one bronze (individual) for Lou Jeanmonnot. Only Océane Michelon, who was preferred over Jeanne Richard by the French coaching staff, had yet to stand on the podium.
The spectators who witnessed the relay were likely disappointed by the lack of suspense. From the opening meters of the race, Lou Jeanmonnot, who was very fast on skis, took the lead and never relinquished it. The native of Doubs, who was also very accurate on the shooting range (10/10), launched Océane Michelon in the best possible position, with a 32-second lead over the second-place Norwegians.
In her first relay at the World Championships, the young biathlete, 22, repaid the confidence that her coaches had placed in her. With only one error on the standing shoot, and thanks to the mistakes of her opponents, the Frenchwoman extended the lead even further, handing the relay to the fast-starting Justine Braisaz-Bouchet 46 seconds ahead of the surprising second-place Slovenians.
Braisaz-Bouchet was not as ruthless as Lou Jeanmonnot and Océane Michelon on the shooting range, making three errors (two on the prone, one on the standing). However, her relentless pace on the track, her precise trajectory, and her power in the lower body allowed her to gain a few more seconds on the other competitors.
Despite a significant lead of one minute and 19 seconds, Julia Simon, who had been in great form throughout these World Championships, remained focused. The Frenchwoman covered the 6-kilometer ski course with ease, and she was flawless on the shooting range.
The 28-year-old biathlete even took the time to greet the crowd after her standing shoot, then slapped hands with spectators before crossing the finish line, narrowly avoiding a fallen barrier. The final result? A one-minute and four-second margin of victory over the second-place finishers. The French men’s relay team, which would compete later in the afternoon, had clear inspiration to draw upon.
