Oslo, Norway – Lou Jeanmonnot of France achieved a career milestone on Sunday, securing the overall Biathlon World Cup title, despite finishing 15th in the mass start event. The 27-year-old’s consistent performance throughout the season culminated in her first-ever crystal globe, recognizing her as the top biathlete of the 2025/2026 season. The celebrations in Oslo were particularly poignant, as Jeanmonnot had come close to a grand slam of crystal globes, but ultimately saw that opportunity slip away.
The drama unfolded as Julia Simon, also of France, claimed victory in the mass start, denying Jeanmonnot the chance to complete a sweep of all individual and overall titles. Simon’s win secured her the minor crystal globe for the mass start discipline. While the grand slam – winning all four individual disciplines (individual, sprint, pursuit, and mass start) plus the overall title – remains elusive, Jeanmonnot’s achievement is still monumental. Only two biathletes before her, Sweden’s Magdalena Forsberg (2001, 2002) and Norway’s Tora Berger (2013), have accomplished the feat.
The atmosphere at Oslo’s Holmenkollen biathlon stadium was electric as Jeanmonnot ascended the podium, acknowledging the enthusiastic applause from the crowd with waves and raised fists. Receiving the coveted large crystal globe from last year’s overall winner, Germany’s Franziska Preuss, Jeanmonnot lifted the trophy skyward, visibly moved by the moment. She then posed for photos with the globe, alongside her three other crystal globes earned this season – for the individual, sprint, and pursuit events.
“It’s indescribable,” Jeanmonnot shared in the mixed zone after the ceremony. “There’s pride, a little fatigue too, and an enormous amount of pleasure regarding what’s happened these past two years. It’s a feeling of accomplishment, and it’s a dream come true. There’s exhaustion as well. I don’t have any emotions left to give; it was intense. I am really proud.”
Jeanmonnot’s path to the overall title wasn’t without its challenges. Entering the final stage of the World Cup, she held a comfortable lead, but the possibility of a grand slam added extra pressure. While she ultimately fell short of that historic achievement, her consistency throughout the season proved decisive. The biathlon World Cup has seen a trend in recent years of the overall title being decided at the final stage, with this being the fifth consecutive year for the women’s competition and the third for the men’s.
The men’s competition saw similar drama, with Éric Perrot also needing to wait until the final stage to confirm his overall title. He entered Oslo with a 244-point lead, a margin that, while substantial, wasn’t insurmountable with three races remaining. The men’s overall competition has historically been dominated by Martin Fourcade and Johannes Thingnes Boe, who have collectively won 12 of the 13 Grand Globes between 2011 and 2024. Fourcade, in particular, has a history of securing the title early in the season, achieving this feat on four occasions (2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017). Johannes Thingnes Boe also clinched the trophy before the final stage in 2019 and 2023.
This season, however, saw a shift, with Jeanmonnot’s victory marking a novel chapter in biathlon history. Her success builds on a legacy of strong French biathletes, including Julia Simon, who won the overall title in 2023, and Quentin Fillon Maillet, who was crowned champion in 2022. The sport continues to evolve, with athletes pushing the boundaries of performance and captivating audiences worldwide.
While Jeanmonnot didn’t secure the mass start globe, her overall triumph is a testament to her dedication, skill, and resilience. The biathlon season has concluded, but the echoes of her victory in Oslo will undoubtedly resonate throughout the sport for years to come. The next major event on the biathlon calendar will be the announcement of team selections for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where Jeanmonnot will undoubtedly be a key contender for France.
Fans can follow Lou Jeanmonnot and the French biathlon team for updates on training and competition schedules through the official International Biathlon Union (IBU) website and social media channels.
