Very first time. The words of Jeanne Mas resonates Tuesday in the performance of the French biathlete Julia Simon, who won at 28 years his very first victory on the individual (15 km) at the World-2025 in Lenzerheide (Switzerland).
The format of the individual is extremely demanding: five laps of three kilometers interspersed with four passages on the shot and a minute of penalty at the slightest fault.
Sometimes you need luck in biathlon. When it comes to the finish line, Julia Simon was looking to provoke it, crossed fingers.
“I was crossing my fingers because I knew I was the first in the red group. All the favorites were behind, I said to myself +come what can. I did my job now come and get me+ “smiles the biathlete of the seizures (Savoie).
It was heard. On the last standing shot, the German Franziska Preuss can play on 20/20 and gold. It will miss two targets.
“I lost concentration and I failed to switch to something else. I have long waited for a first shot. We lose his calm and two faults arrive quickly. It’s annoying but we cannot change it ”recognized the world N.1 of 30 years.
Quick to ski (2nd time), Julia Simon is also expeditious on the shot (19/20), putting 20 sec less than the Swedish Ella Halvarsson, 2nd despite a wireless shooting. Lou Jeanmonnot completes the podium at 39 sec (19/20).
“It’s a new week, I did a + reset + what happened last week and I was there to revive myself today”says the Frenchwoman.
“Deep fatigue”
Julia Simon crosses her fingers after the finish line of the individual, in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, February 18, 2025 / Franck Fife / AFP
While she had dominated the Worlds-2014 a year ago at November Mesto (Czech Republic) with five medals, including four titles, in six races, Simon was hitherto back.
The fault of a fall in the mixed relay – gold medal for France – which had more effects than it thought.
“This fall ultimately impacted me emotionally enormously, more than what I thought. I had trouble regaining my concentration on the shot. I had deep fatigue. I had not become aware of the impact it had on my body ”says Savoyarde.
Simon finished 7th in the sprint and 12th in the pursuit then.
She now has her world titles to her record, including four in individual tests, and joins the list of French Marie Dorin-Habert, “A little pride”she says.
The other pride for her is to win this world title in a complicated season. Despite a 4th place in the general classification after six stages of the World Cup, Julia Simon went completely next to the shooting.
“This victory has a particular taste. I especially think of my family and friends who supported me during these slightly more delicate moments. There is worse in life than having failures in sport. They made me put me into perspective “she says.
Libéré Jeanmonnot
Julia Simon (d) poses with the bronze medalist of the individual Lou Jeanmonnot, in Lenzerheide, in Switzerland, February 18, 2025 / Franck Fife / AFP
Unbeaten this season on the individual, Lou Jeanmonnot was expected as a favorite of the event. After a complicated departure, she went to get her bronze medal at the mind.
“After a first shot that weighed the atmosphere, I expected to fight to make an average race and finally I fight for the podium until the end”blows the native of Pontalier (Doubs).
“Last year I leave the Worlds with four medals, there I had one. I had not given 100% of what I had on the sprint and the pursuit. It frees up “she underlines.
Sacred World Champion of sprint last week, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet ranked 9th to 1 min 52 sec 9/10 (17 out of 20 in shooting).
In mid-race, the French team has seven medals, like last year after six events, and can always hope to do as well as the Razzia of November Mesto (13).
Men are in the running on Wednesday afternoon (3:05 p.m.) for the individual (20 km).
(Tagstotranslate) Information (T) Individual (T) Biathlon (T) World (T) First