Lou Jeanmonnot: French Biathlon’s Rising Champion
Pontarlier, 14 January 2026 – Lou Jeanmonnot has emerged as one of the most formidable biathletes in the world, known for her exceptional shooting accuracy and skiing prowess. Born on 28 October 1998 in Pontarlier, France, she has rapidly ascended the ranks, securing multiple World Cup victories and World Championship medals.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Lou Jeanmonnot began her biathlon journey in 2012, joining the Olympic Mont d’Or club. She excelled in junior competitions, winning gold in the individual event at the 2017 Junior World Championships in Osrblie and earning the overall IBU Junior Cup title in 2018. Her senior debut came in the 2020–21 World Cup season, where she quickly made her mark with strong performances despite starting in the IBU Cup.
In the 2021–22 season, Jeanmonnot dominated the IBU Cup, winning the overall title and earning a World Cup spot. Her first full World Cup season in 2022–23 saw her claim relay victories and individual podiums, including a second place in the Ruhpolding individual race.
Key Achievements and Statistics
Jeanmonnot’s breakthrough came in the 2023–24 season, where she recorded her first individual World Cup wins in Östersund, finishing second in the overall World Cup standings. She continued her success in 2024–25, securing multiple victories and small crystal globes in individual, pursuit, and mass start disciplines.
| Season | Overall Position | Individual Victories | World Championship Medals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 11th | 0 | 4th (Women’s Relay) |
| 2023–24 | 2nd | 4 | Gold (Single Mixed Relay, Women’s Relay); Bronze (Sprint, Mass Start) |
| 2024–25 | 2nd | 6 | Gold (Women’s Relay, Mixed Relay); Bronze (Individual) |
World Championship Success
At the 2024 Biathlon World Championships in Nové Město, Jeanmonnot won gold in the single mixed relay and women’s relay, alongside bronzes in sprint and mass start. She repeated her relay gold successes at the 2025 World Championships in Lenzerheide, adding a bronze in the individual event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Lou Jeanmonnot’s major individual victories?
Jeanmonnot has secured 11 individual World Cup victories, including wins in sprint, pursuit, individual, and mass start events across the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons. Notable wins include her Östersund sprint and pursuit double in 2023, and multiple pursuits in 2024–25.
How has Jeanmonnot performed in relay events?
She has been instrumental in French relay successes, contributing to eight World Cup relay victories and World Championship golds in 2024 and 2025. Her anchoring roles have been key to these triumphs.
What challenges has she faced?
Jeanmonnot has overcome early career hurdles, such as adapting to World Cup pressure, and dealt with team dynamics, including the 2024 Julia Simon affair, which affected team morale. Despite this, she maintained focus on her performances.