France’s biathlon head coach Simon Fourcade justified the return of two ski hunters to the A-team. With a view of the 2026 Olympics, the coach is confident.
The biathletes Emilia Claude and Antonin Guigonnat are back in the French A team.
“According to her results in the last winter, it is obvious that her return to the A-squad was justified. Antonin has that certain something. In addition to his results, he ensures a good team spirit and knows how to make the pressure too great. He is happy to be under people and important for team structure,” commented men’s chief coach Simon Fourcade in an interview with the international biathlon association IBU.
“For Emilia and Antonin, the step back to the B team was perhaps even good. It was hard for them, but it also showed them that nothing was given to you,” the 41-year-old tried to highlight a positive effect.
Fourcade has to brake France’s biathlon stars
Claude and Guigonnat will have to duel in the upcoming World Cup season in biathlon with their teammates for the starting places for the 2026 Olympics in Italy (February 6th to 22nd).
Fourcade sees his team on the way to Antholz in a “good starting position”. “The challenge is to give the boys on the way that we are not allowed to leave a step. We have to continue to work hard so that our results in the new season are as good as last winter. But my boys are intelligent enough and know it themselves,” said the former biathlete.
His task is to “brake it occasionally. They don’t need additional motivation. My athletes are aware that they can be the best in the trail and at the shooting range. Now we want to prepare for antholz. France has usually cut off well in South Tyrol. We want to continue this success story,” said Fourcade.