Jeanne Richard narrowly missed her first podium finish at the Biathlon World Cup mass start event held at Annecy - Le Grand-Bornand on December 22, 2024. The French biathlete secured the fourth position after being outpaced by Slovaque Paulina Batovska-Fialkova, who overtook her at the finish line by just one-tenth of a second. This race marked another impressive showing for Richard, who battled fiercely throughout the competition but fell short of her goal.
Despite her disappointment, Richard's performance is commendable, especially considering the challenges she faced during the race. After leading for significant stretches, including being third entering the final straight, her hopes for bronze were dashed at the last moment. "I fought hard; I have nothing to regret," Richard told La Chaîne L’Équipe post-race. Her experience displays the intensity and competition level within the sport this season.
The race concluded with Germany's Selina Grotian winning decisively, clocking a time of 38:35.4 with just one shooting error (19/20), marking her first victory and podium finish at the World Cup level. Following her, fellow German Franziska Preuss took second, securing her lead in the overall standings with yet another strong finish, also posting 20/20 at the shooting range.
Richard, with her solid shooting of 19/20, finished just 0.1 seconds behind Batovska-Fialkova, who had also performed admirably throughout the race. She noted the bittersweet nature of her finish, contrasting it with her performance from the previous day where she also secured fourth place. "It’s different this time because I was so close to the podium," Richard shared, reflecting on her mixed emotions.
The French team showed remarkable strength overall, with Julia Simon finishing sixth after incurring four shooting penalties, and Océane Michelon capturing eighth place, also after four misses. Their efforts contributed to France being heavily represented among the top finishers, showcasing the depth of talent within the national team.
Meanwhile, the men’s mass start witnessed Norwegian biathlete Tarjei Boe reclaiming glory after being sidelined during previous events. Boe executed near-perfect shooting with 19/20, illustrating his resilience and skill. He has proven to be back on form after previous setbacks, taking advantage of his experience to maintain his lead throughout the race.
Danilo Riethmueller, surprising many, captured second place after starting cautiously but gradually gaining positions with strategic skking and reliable shooting. Boe’s brother, Johannes Thingnes Boe, known as the world number one, finished third, reinforcing his dominance and extending his lead over competitors as he clocked the fastest ski time of the day.
Overall, the races at Le Grand-Bornand served as pivotal points for these athletes as they aim toward the upcoming Winter Olympics, scheduled for 2026. With only two years until the Games, performances now will heavily influence Olympic selections and athletes' confidence moving forward.
With the next race set to take place at Oberhof, Germany, from January 9-12, competitors will return to their training regimens, eager to build upon their experiences and successes from Le Grand-Bornand. The excitement is palpable as athletes vie for podium finishes, aiming to solidify their standings as the new year approaches.
