Julia Simon was almost uncomfortable with the praise. That’s why the superstar of the 2024 Biathlon World Cup in Nove Mesto quickly put the euphoria brake on himself.
Historic four individual gold medals at a World Cup? “I don’t want to put myself under pressure because it depends on a lot, a millimeter, and it can quickly tip in the other direction,” said the 27-year-old after her triumph in the pursuit: “But of course, if you If you strap your starting number on your back, you want to win.”
Even the competition is extremely impressed. “She had a difficult start to the season. But now she has self-confidence again, it’s the old Julia Simon from last year – a killer on the shooting range,” said German women’s coach Kristian Mehringer: “She’s floating on a wave, there There’s still a lot to expect from this World Cup.”
Biathlon World Cup 2024: Julia Simon a “mixture” of Fourcade and Bö?
The Frenchwoman followed her gold in the mixed relay with triumphs in the sprint and chase races. “She is the queen of these World Championships, she is exceptional in every way, especially in the way she deals with her emotions,” enthused Norwegian men’s coach Siegfried Mazet.
Despite the credit card affair with her teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Simon “doesn’t let anything bother her. She would also be a world champion in strategy if she played chess. She does exactly the right thing at the right moment.”
He recognizes in Simon a “mixture” of Martin Fourcade and Johannes Thingnes Bö. “Martin had this ability to have everything under control, even though he used his instincts every now and then. Johannes is a very instinctive shooter. Julia is both,” Mazet explained. If Simon stays “with his feet on the ground,” the four individual titles at a World Championships that have never been achieved by a biathlete will be “within their reach.”