In a thrilling finale on Sunday, March 23, 2025, Lou Jeanmonnot from France clinched the Biathlon World Cup title, overcoming a fierce challenge from Germany's Franziska Preuss at Oslo's Holmenkollen. The two athletes entered the final race with Jeanmonnot just five points ahead of Preuss, heightening the tension and excitement for fans of the sport. Jeanmonnot's journey to the top was not without its struggles, but her determination and skill shone through as she executed a flawless race.
Before this decisive showdown, Jeanmonnot had been trailing Preuss by 35 points at the start of the weekend but managed to take the lead after winning the pursuit race on March 22, 2025, with a time of 38:23.8 and two penalties. This victory not only gave her momentum but also positioned her as the favorite for the mass start race that would crown the overall winner of the season.
The day of the mass start race was charged with anticipation. Jeanmonnot took the starting line with great resolve, knowing that she could secure the coveted crystal globe by finishing ahead of Preuss. The race, which began at 1:15 PM local time, featured 28 competitors all vying for the championship. In the backdrop of beautiful Oslo, Jeanmonnot recalled the thrill of the pursuit victory, saying, “It’s perfect, it’s what I’ve always wanted...There are a lot of mixed emotions. There’s fear, I’m emotional, but at the same time I’m looking forward to it and I’m proud.”
During the race, Jeanmonnot encountered a nail-biting back-and-forth with Preuss. Both women pushed their limits, and the stakes kept getting higher with every shooting round. In the first round, Jeanmonnot faced a setback, but Preuss remained accurate. However, Jeanmonnot quickly recovered by closing the gap significantly in subsequent laps, showcasing her competitive edge.
As the race continued, pre-race favorites Elvira Öberg from Sweden and Lena Häcki-Gross from Switzerland kept pace with the leaders, but the spotlight remained firmly on Jeanmonnot and Preuss. In one of the most pivotal moments, Jeanmonnot took the lead after Preuss made a mistake in the third shooting round. This put Preuss in a position where she needed to catch up and maintain her own championship hopes.
The final shooting round was electrifying. With both Jeanmonnot and Preuss among the last holdouts completing the round before heading out for the last lap, the tension was palpable. As they neared the finish line, Jeanmonnot made an aggressive move on the outside, appearing to pass Preuss without any significant contact. Preuss felt the pressure as Öberg, less than 16 seconds behind them, made a surge to close the gap.
Remarkably, in a nail-biting climax to the season, Jeanmonnot managed the race conditions and her final lap skills to secure a historic win. The crowd erupted as she crossed the finish line, marking her eighth victory of the season and confirming her place in biathlon history. “Amazing...I will try to do my best,” Jeanmonnot expressed, reflecting on her emotional journey to the top.
The race results were striking. Jeanmonnot won with a time of 38:23.8, while Preuss finished in fifth due to her missed targets and a frustrating race where she faced equipment issues. Completing the podium, Öberg finished second, just 22.2 seconds behind, while Häcki-Gross came in third. Meanwhile, Preuss’s day unraveled with three penalties and an unfortunate broken pole that ultimately hindered her performance.
The title significance was not lost on Jeanmonnot, who became only the fifth woman from France to win the overall World Cup, joining the ranks of legends. The implications of this victory reached beyond personal achievement; it also symbolized the rise of women biathletes in competitive sports globally.
With the trophy awarded and victory secured, Jeanmonnot made it clear how much this meant to her, solidifying her newfound stature in the sport. As she stood atop the podium, she expressed, “It’s a dream come true to finish the last race with the yellow jersey on your back.” The local backdrop of Oslo provided a fitting stage for a remarkable conclusion to this high-stakes winter sports season.
This year’s Women’s Biathlon World Cup has captivated fans, underscoring the competitive spirit and skill involved in the sport. The culmination of this season demonstrated not only the personal victories of athletes like Jeanmonnot but also highlighted the collective passion for biathlon as an inspiring sport.
