fan of tattoos, member of the army, loyal to his Franche-Comté… Who is Lou Jeanmonnot, the sensation at the start of the season?

At 25, the Franc-Comtoise signed her first two victories in the Biathlon World Cup this weekend, in Sweden, in Östersund.

According to everyone close to him, Lou Jeanmonnot has an annoying habit: being late. In his private life, as a civilian, anyway. Because skis on her feet and rifle in hand, the 25-year-old Franc-Comtoise is more of a hurry. Friday December 1 and Sunday December 3, the French biathlete indeed signed her first two victories in the Biathlon World Cup in Sweden, in Östersund, while she is only beginning her second full season at this level.

Better still, she is only the fourth Frenchwoman to achieve this sprint-pursuit double, after the legends Sandrine Bailly, Marie Dorin-Habert and Corinne Niogret. Skis on, Lou Jeanmonnot wastes no time. So much so that barely a year after her promotion to the France A team, notably thanks to the retirement of Anaïs Bescond and the maternity leave of Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the native of Pontarlier has already taken on the status of leader of the Bleues. And this despite the presence of Julia Simon, winner of the big crystal globe last season. That is to say.

A lightning ascent

“She’s a girl who is bubbly, who brought freshness, and who contributed to the good atmosphere in the girls’ collective”explained Fredéric Jean, former coach of the women’s group, on Friday on the L’Équipe channel. “She has been around the IBU Cup circuit for many seasons. There was an opening, she jumped in.” Because if Lou Jeanmonnot reveals herself in the fall of 2023, she had to chomp at the bit for a long time at the lower level (the IBU circuit), from 2018 to 2022, which she ended up winning the last year.

It’s therefore difficult not to give a chance to the one who trains in her native Doubs, between two meals with her grandmother Jeanine. “Nine-Ja” – the nickname given to her by her granddaughter – carefully collects the exploits of her protégé in binders that will grow in the coming weeks. And for good reason: Lou Jeanmonnot is changing dimensions this winter, as she confided to Ski Chrono at the dawn of the season.

“My status has evolved since last year, I have more ambitions, I am more in demand. Sometimes, I am told that I am now an executive of the team. This makes me smile because I have arrived in Group A only a year ago.”

Lou Jeanmonnot

at Ski Chrono

Lucid more than pretentious, the Franc-Comtoise was simply aware of the levels reached at lightning speed last winter, with two second places for her first full season in the World Cup. In addition to the experience gained, Lou Jeanmonnot completed his biathlete range this summer. An outstanding shooter, she has always collected flawless shots on the shooting range. But this former cross-country skier is now equipped to make a difference on skis.

To the point of winning twice in Östersund, without feeling at the top, by his own admission. “I didn’t feel great on the skis during the warm-up, but I still decided to go quickly”she explained on Friday, after her victory in the sprint. “I really didn’t think they were going to announce me for the win. I was expecting the flowers, the podium eventually… But the win, I didn’t really imagine it.”

A target tattooed on the back

Starting nine seconds ahead of the chase on Sunday, Lou Jeanmonnot confirmed with a second success that this first was no coincidence. Eleventh in the general ranking last winter, the one who is part of the Army of Champions – and who paraded as such on the Champs-Elysées during the last July 14 – displayed her objective: the top 6, at least . Reading this first weekend and its results in the individual races, one would almost be tempted to say that someone who enjoys mountain biking outings in her native Jura can already change gear regarding her ambitions.

To do this, she will have to confirm on Friday in Hochfilzen, Austria, with a new status. Because by flawless rifle in hand, Lou Jeanmonnot has had a target tattooed on his back for his competitors, who will now have it in their sights. Don’t worry, however, the Franc-Comtoise, who gets tattooed at the end of each season, as a souvenir, is not afraid of being chased away. At this rate, the next drawing, in the spring, could be in gold ink.