This year definitely has a French feel with four women and four men in the equally divided 18-person field. The men’s field is headlined by 2022 Total Score winner Quentin Fillon Maillet, two-time IBU Pursuit Champion Emilien Jacquelin, multi-Olympic medalist Jakov Fak and rising stars Sebastian Stalder and Eric Perrot.
Although the German Champs are being conducted at the same time, Vanessa Voigt will defend her title, but others will challenge especially Lou Jeanmonnot who won last year’s cross-country race but was not included in the biathlon field.
Jeanmonnot, second in the World Cup Total Score, in this year’s biathlon field, shared some thoughts on her win and the key to winning over Voigt, Lena Haecki-Gross and teammates Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Julia Simon and Sophie Chauveau.
Biathlonworld: How cool was it to win the XC last year in front of so many French fans?
Lou Jeanmonnot: It was really cool; I enjoyed this race a lot! Winning, but even more on a nice event, with perfect weather and with many friends cheering everywhere is something I’m not able to see during winter, I loved it!
BW: How tough is it to go full gas on those tracks where there is no rest?
LJ: The qualifications were really tough! I don’t remember feeling this race was easier or tougher than a biathlon race, it’s just different. And I suppose the missing rifle balances out the “no rest” part!
BW: Now that you're in the biathlon field, what will be the key to winning?
LJ: As always, a great shoot is never a bad idea. But I will need to focus on getting installed (set-up) on the range faster than my usual pace. About the ski, I think the loop is too short to make a huge difference.
BW: Will your biggest challenge be to finish ahead of your teammates?
LJ: Not really, I really want to see how fast I can be on my rollerskis after a great month of preparation and focus on faster (but still precise) shoots.
BW: Is the MFNF as much about having fun and putting on a good show as anything?
LJ: For me, it’s the perfect combination of ending well our training camp with a race, while appreciating this unique event and atmosphere. I’m convinced that if I have fun there, the show will be great !
Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni