The IBU Junior Cup 2025 in Martell-Val Martello featured an individual, sprint, and relay. The French team once again demonstrated its dominance and astonishing strength in depth. A historic occurrence will also be remembered. Here are five perspectives on the race week.

France is the leading country

The French team was unstoppable in Martell. Lou-Anne Dupont Ballet Baz won the sprint with a 45-second lead over Melina Gaupp from Germany. Namou Candau-Armand and Louise Roguet were two more French women who finished in the top six. Dupont Ballet Baz leads the women's Junior Cup overall standings. Camille Grataloup-Manissolle secured victory in the men's event. He stood on the podium alongside Judicael Perrillat Bottonet, who finished third. Leo Carlier won the sprint with two flawless shooting performances.

Italian women impress with strong shooting in individual

Carlotta Gautero and Nayeli Mariotti Cavagnet broke France's dominance in the individual. With only one penalty loop each in 20 shots, the two Italians secured a double victory in front of their home crowd. “The national races before the start of the season didn't go well for me. I'm all the happier to have started the international competitions with a victory. This is a special day for the whole team and I'm very proud of it,” said Carlotta Gautero after her victory.

Thomas Marchl from Austria leads the overall standings in the men's competition

Thomas Marchl was the most consistent male athlete in the first two weeks of the IBU Junior Cup. He won the sprint in Goms and finished in the top 10 in every race. In Martell, he secured another podium place with second place in the individual event and impressed with fourth place in the sprint.

Germany and France win the relays

Melina Gaupp led her team across the finish line in first place. The German had battled against Ukraine's Valeriia Sheihas for a long time but was able to prevail on the final lap. France celebrated third place. Dupont Ballet Baz overtook Kiara Hace from Slovenia on the final lap. In the men's race, the French ran a lonely race from the start. Leo Carlier crossed the finish line with a lead of 1:45 minutes. Czechia was delighted with second place ahead of the German team.

A Mexican woman makes history

Lillie Salgado Bean is the first woman from Mexico to finish a biathlon race. She has made history. Salgado Bean came in 111th place in the sprint. After the prone shooting, she ran through the penalty loop with a smile, because missing just one target meant success for her. The 20-year-old was competing in international biathlon races for the first time, which is probably more important to her than her ranking. She only started cross-country skiing in 2020.

For the juniors, the action continues in January with the IBU Junior Cup in Madona (January 14 to 17) and Imatra (January 21 to 25).

Photos: IBU I Authamayou