The French Biathlon Federation announced its line-up for the World Cup week in Oberhof on Monday. While there are no changes in the men’s team, there is one sufferer in the women’s team.
After just two races in the World Cup, the A team chapter for Paula Botet is closed again. As can be seen from the line-up for the upcoming competitions published by the association on Monday, the 25-year-old will have to compete again in the IBU Cup at the beginning of next year.
In the second biathlon league, Botet made numerous headlines in the first trimester of the season. For example, at the stop in Ridnaun she won three out of three races. She was also victorious once in Obertilliach and was on the podium again. Thanks to these excellent results, she got her chance in the World Cup in Annecy.
However, the weekend in France was disappointing for Botet. She only came 48th in the sprint and only finished 32nd in the pursuit. Instead of Oberhof, next year she will now go to the IBU Cup weekend on Arber (January 8th to 11th).
Richard returns to France’s biathlon team
The beneficiary of Botet’s demotion is Jeanne Richard. The 23-year-old was eliminated from the sprint and pursuit in Annecy and only ran the mass start at her home World Cup, for which she automatically qualified. In Oberhof she will now complete the full racing program again.
The rest of the French team remains untouched and is made up of Lou Jeanmonnot, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Julia Simon, Camille Bened and Océane Michelon.
There are currently no changes in the French men’s team. They will be competing in Oberhof with Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon Maillet, Emilien Jacquelin, Fabien Claude, Oscar Lombardot and Valentin Lejeune.
The World Cup in Oberhof (January 8th to 11th) is the start of the hot phase of Olympic preparation for the biathlon stars. After another stop in Ruhpolding, there are still races in Nove Mesto before the showdown for gold, silver and bronze in Antholz in February.