When the 2025/26 season ended, Lou Jeanmonnot walked away with a smile on her face. The big Crystal Globe for the World Cup Total Score was hers. She was the best biathlete in the world.

Now with a new season on the horizon, as she prepares to defend her title, Jeanmonnot reflected on her big season, the road from the IBU Junior Cup to the top of the World Cup, the importance of Coach Cyril Burdet, and the rivals who will challenge her all season long.

Biathlonworld: What was going through you mind when Franzi handed you that big Crystal Globe?

Lou Jeanmonnot: I was really happy and grateful for the people who came up with this idea. I liked how the last 3 years were for me and ending it with something even more meaningful like Franzi giving the Globe to me. What happened the year before was nice and now the loop was closing.

BW: Back when you won the Junior Cup Total Score, did you ever think this was possible?

LJ: It has always been a goal, but I knew only a few people are able to achieve it. I was like in a way looking for it but I was more interested in improving my skiing and how I manage my life as a biathlete. Just looking to this goal was great and I was truly convinced that I could achieve it.

BW: Was the journey the most important part of it?

LJ: Yes, I liked the journey. If I did not like the journey, I would have never been able to do it. It is important and now (with the new season), I am starting again and able to do that because I like it.

BW: You said after last season that you really wanted Cyril (Burdet) to stay as coach and he did. What has his guidance meant to your success?

LJ: He was the main person who helped me understand I was able to do great things. When I arrived at the A team, I was convinced I was a bad skier and a good shooter. In my mind, I was a biathlete that had to rely on good shooting and then do the best possible on skiing. He helped show me step-by-step that I was good at skiing, my technique was great, and sprinting was great. I was able to compare myself with great athletes like Anais Chevalier, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Julia Simon, the top three on the team at that moment. Cyril told me if you are at this kind of level at every training you do; there is no reason you are a bad skier in the winter. He helped give me the confidence. That is the main point of progress in my career, confidence when skiing.

BW: Is defending the title this season the most important thing or is there something else?

LJ: The main thing is to be a better biathlete. The result of that would be to keep the Globe. My goals are what I want to create to get this in the end. I want to win an individual Gold medal at the World Championships that I do not have.

BW: What is your biggest weakness?

LJ: For sure, my shooting time. Mentally, I want to improve my ability to be a leader. It is not that I am not confident about it. It is something different wearing the Yellow Bib. I did not learn how to get confident with it and now, I want to have that presence.

BW: How would you describe each of these women who would also love to win the big Globe:

Elvira (Oeberg) She is the one who has the biggest motor. That is her main quality. If she gets more regular (stable) on the shooting range, she is hard to beat.

Lisa (Vittozzi) She has improved her shooting speed a lot last year. She is also very mentally strong, but shooting is her strongest point.

Julia (Simon) Her mind is the strongest thing she has. She is also great shooting and skiing, but much of this comes from the mind.

BW: What would be your advice to Lou if you were the coach?

LJ: It is what Cyril told me at the end of the season. To get this presence of feeling strong and enjoy it. Enjoy is something that I have to do more!

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Yevenko, Nordic Focus/Authamayou