Lou Jeanmonnot, the rising French biathlete, solidified her position as a contender for the Biathlon World Cup Title by winning the pursuit race in Oslo on March 22, 2025. This victory marks her eighth win of the season, allowing her to regain the lead in the World Cup standings just before the final mass start scheduled for March 23.
The atmosphere in Oslo was electric, with fans cheering as Jeanmonnot took charge of the race. Having finished a narrow second place just the day before, where she trailed Franziska Preuss by a mere two-tenths of a second after a nail-biting sprint, she was determined to clinch the win in the pursuit.
During the pursuit event, Jeanmonnot showcased her excellent shooting skills, making only one error on the shooting range, while her main rival, Preuss, faltered significantly with three missed targets. The comparison of their performances under pressure was stark; while Jeanmonnot confidently hit her last ten targets, Preuss struggled with two mistakes in her final shooting round, which ultimately led to her finishing fifth.
Jeanmonnot expressed relief and joy after the race, stating, "It was important for me to hit the targets on the last shot. I had some difficulties in the past finishing well," demonstrating her hard-earned growth in mental fortitude during competitions. Her victory earned her 90 points, bringing her total to 1193 points, just five points ahead of Preuss at 1188.
Preuss, who had held the yellow jersey since mid-December, was left reeling from her performance and reflected on her disappointment, saying, "I gave my all in the last lap, I fought for every position, but I didn't have any luck," emphasized during her post-race interview with ARD. Preuss’s inability to maintain her consistent high performance was compounded by the pressure of the World Cup standings, which now saw Jeanmonnot established atop the leaderboard.
Going into the mass start, the stakes couldn't be higher, as both women are set for one last showdown this season, with Jeanmonnot possessing the yellow jersey and the responsibility that comes with it. The crucial mass start will determine not just who wins the race but also who will claim the coveted overall title. In various scenarios laid out for both athletes, Jeanmonnot has a clear path to victory: she can secure the globe outright by finishing ahead of Preuss or by finishing close enough should Preuss place in the top eight.
As Jeanmonnot prepares to take her shot at securing her first major crystal globe, she exhibits a strong mindset, stating, "It's a perfect scenario. I’m very happy with this race, and I’ve thought a lot about my last shots that I could have missed this season." With her fans rallying behind her, Jeanmonnot's star is firmly on the rise, and her ambition is palpable as she aims for glory on the final day of competition.
The excitement for the mass start continues to build as fans and analysts eagerly await what will likely be a thrilling conclusion to the biathlon season. As both athletes navigate the pressures of performance and the expectations of victory, the world looks on, captivated by their rivalry and the defining moments yet to come in Oslo.
