Kontiolahti, Finland – The echoes of a spectacular Olympic Winter Games are still reverberating, but the biathlon world quickly turns its attention back to the World Cup circuit. The French team, fresh off a haul of 13 medals – including six gold – at the recent Games, will resume their pursuit of glory at the seventh stage of the 2025-2026 World Cup in Kontiolahti, Finland, beginning this Thursday.
Several French Olympic champions recently took to the slopes for a friendly exhibition in Sweden, signaling their readiness for the challenges ahead. Émilien Jacquelin and Fabien Claude teamed up with Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Sophie Chauveau, respectively, for a mixed duo race at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm on Monday. While the Jacquelin-Braisaz-Bouchet pairing finished seventh despite topping qualification, the event served as a valuable tune-up before the competitive action resumes in Finland.
Chasing Crystal Globes
The focus in Kontiolahti will be on securing the overall crystal globes, awarded to the season’s top performers. Lou Jeanmonnot enters the Finnish stage in a strong position to claim the women’s overall title, holding a commanding 202-point lead over Suvi Minkkinen. Despite a feeling of slight disappointment after not securing an individual Olympic title – “I almost have the audacity to sense unsatisfied,” she confessed – Jeanmonnot is determined to finish the season strong. “I’m leaving even more hungry!” she declared.
On the men’s side, Eric Perrot leads the overall standings and is looking to build on his advantage. The field has been altered slightly by the unfortunate withdrawal of Tommaso Giacomel, who is currently second in the standings, due to a recent heart operation. Perrot now enjoys a 166-point cushion over his nearest rival, Sweden’s Sebastian Samuelsson.
French Squad for Kontiolahti
The French team boasts a strong lineup for the Kontiolahti World Cup. The women’s team will consist of Camille Bened, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Sophie Chauveau, Lou Jeanmonnot, Océane Michelon and Julia Simon. The men’s team will feature Emilien Claude, Fabien Claude, Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Emilien Jacquelin, Oscar Lombardot, and Eric Perrot.
Kontiolahti World Cup Schedule
The competition kicks off on Thursday, March 5th, with the women’s individual 15km race at 17:05 local time (15:05 UTC). Friday, March 6th, will see the men compete in the 20km individual race, likewise starting at 17:10 local time (15:10 UTC). The weekend will feature mass start and relay events for both men and women.
Here’s a complete look at the schedule:
- Thursday, March 5th: Women’s Individual (15km) – 17:05 local time (15:05 UTC)
- Friday, March 6th: Men’s Individual (20km) – 17:10 local time (15:10 UTC)
- Saturday, March 7th: Women’s Mass Start (12.5km) – 13:40 local time (11:40 UTC)
- Saturday, March 7th: Men’s Relay (4×7.5km) – 15:40 local time (13:40 UTC)
- Sunday, March 8th: Women’s Relay (4x6km) – 13:30 local time (11:30 UTC)
- Sunday, March 8th: Men’s Mass Start (15km) – 16:55 local time (14:55 UTC)
Kontiolahti is known for its challenging course and passionate fans. The Finnish biathletes are anticipating a large and enthusiastic crowd at their home event, hoping to capitalize on the warm atmosphere. The event is a testament to the strength of the entire region, with local communities working together to host world-class competitions.
As the biathlon season enters its final stretch, all eyes will be on Kontiolahti to see if the French team can maintain their momentum and secure those coveted crystal globes. The competition promises to be fierce, with athletes from across the globe vying for victory.
The next stop on the Biathlon World Cup tour will be [information not available in sources]. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the biathlon season.
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