Franziska Preuß and Lou Jeanmonnot are embroiled in a fierce contest for the Total Score title as the BMW IBU World Cup heads to the historic Oslo-Holmenkollen venue. With just 20 points separating the two athletes, the stakes are incredibly high. Jeanmonnot recently claimed victory in the Mass Start at Pokljuka under some of the season's most challenging conditions, marking her seventh World Cup win this season, making history as the first Frenchwoman to achieve this milestone.
It’s been quite the season for Jeanmonnot, who has also become the first Frenchwoman to win across all four individual disciplines — Sprint, Pursuit, Individual, and Mass Start — within the same season. This remarkable feat hadn’t been accomplished since Laura Dahlmeier did it during the 2016/17 season. Preuß faced tough conditions at Pokljuka, managing to score 20/20 but finishing with 20 points to her mighty rival's total.
During the same event, Jeanmonnot placed seventh in the Individual, yet her additional 16 points lead over Preuß highlighted the intense competition. Meanwhile, Johannes Thingnes Boe of Norway, currently wearing the yellow bib, struggled during the eighth week of the World Cup season. Despite taking his time at the shooting range, he finished 10th, leaving him with high hopes of recovery before heading to Norway.
Sturla Holm Laegreid secured second place in the Individual at Pokljuka and third place during the Mass Start, now holding a significant 104-point lead over Boe, combining mental fortitude with the title of the Individual Cup Score. The weekend brought joy for local hero Jakov Fak, who claimed his ninth World Cup victory after ten years of waiting. His win, long overdue at the age of 37 years, 4 months, and 30 days, cements him as the second-oldest World Cup winner ever, just behind Ole Einar Björndalen.
Anamarija Lampič also made headlines, finishing third with 19/20 hits during the Mass Start, which is her personal best performance after shooting 16/20 earlier this season. From Switzerland, Niklas Hartweg and Aita Gasparin earned their nation's first-ever Single Mixed Relay win, showcasing the depth of talent across the field.
The fierce competition carries over to the U23 category. With the Total Score leaderboard indicating Jeanne Richard at fourth with 676 points, Oceane Michelon at fifth with 666 points, and Selina Grotian at sixth with 620 points, the race is intense. The PoKljuka event saw Richard rake up 86 points, Michelon 78, Kirkeeide 61, and Grotian 57, significantly impacting their standings as they approach the season finale.
Certainly, motivation abounds among the athletes. Camille Bened from France secured the IBU Cup Total Score title alongside Isak Frey. This title has paved their path to join the World Cup squads, with Bened preparing for the upcoming event at Oslo-Holmenkollen. Conversely, Frey made his BMW IBU World Cup debut with 17th place at Pokljuka.
Preuß, currently leading the overall World Cup standings, expressed ambition to become the first German to win the overall title since Laura Dahlmeier eight years ago. Sitting at the top with 1048 points, Preuß has two wins under her belt. Jeanmonnot, less than 20 points behind, has claimed the title of World Cup winner on seven separate occasions this season. With only three races left, the coming events are expected to be nerve-wracking as they navigate changes and challenges. The rivalries are heating up, with competitors set to continue their fight through the closing stages of the World Cup at Oslo.
Looking at the format of the upcoming events, three individual races will be important — starting with the Sprint followed by the Pursuit and wrapping up with another Mass Start. With each race carrying significant points, every victory matters. Should either athlete claim three wins, they could potentially earn as many as 270 points, making upcoming contests perhaps the most pivotal of the year.
The exciting finale of the season is poised to showcase extraordinary talent and intense rivalries. Fans can expect highly competitive performances, especially with Jeanmonnot hot on Preuß's heels. Expectations are high for Preuß, who has emphasized her long-standing dream of winning the overall title. Having cleared many hurdles throughout the season, the pressure will be on as she seeks to maintain her lead. Meanwhile, Jeanmonnot's consistent display of form makes her one to watch as she seems to carry extra momentum from her recent successes.
With thrilling races on the horizon, fans and athletes alike are gearing up for what promises to be not just exciting, but possibly pivotal, defining moments for those involved. The results of the upcoming races will dictate the final outcomes and measure the merits behind the commitment, training, and resilience displayed throughout the season.
