Lou Jeanmonnot triumphed in the 10-kilometer pursuit race in Oberhof, securing victory with only one missed shot. Selina Grotian finished strong in fifth place, showcasing her shooting skills despite two errors. Maren Kirkeeide and Elvira Oeberg claimed second and third, respectively, while World Cup leader Franziska Preuß struggled, finishing 20th. Several competitors faced challenges, including Vanessa Voigt, who withdrew due to health issues. The event energized fans as the biathlon World Cup season continues.
Lou Jeanmonnot’s Victorious Pursuit in Oberhof
France is in high spirits as Lou Jeanmonnot clinches victory in the thrilling 10-kilometer pursuit race held in Oberhof. The event took place on Saturday, January 11, 2025, and Selina Grotian put on an impressive performance, finishing strongly in fifth place.
Selina Grotian’s Strong Performance
After the final round of shooting, the podium seemed to be within reach for the talented 20-year-old, Selina Grotian. As her competition stumbled, she managed to hit all her targets and returned to the track in fourth position. However, the race was fiercely competitive. Although Grotian was faster than Milena Todorova, she had to yield to Elvira Oeberg and Océane Michelon, ultimately finishing the race in fifth place with a time of +33.6 seconds and two shooting errors.
“I entered the Birxsteig feeling relaxed and didn’t let the pressure get to me,” Grotian shared, expressing her excitement about the electric atmosphere. “You genuinely want to run faster, but sometimes it’s just not feasible.”
Grotian showcased her accuracy at the shooting range, hitting 18 out of 20 targets, solidifying her position among the top competitors.
Jeanmonnot’s Dominant Victory
Lou Jeanmonnot’s performance was nothing short of exceptional. Starting from seventh place, she surged ahead to claim a decisive victory with just one missed shot. Maren Kirkeeide from Norway finished in second place, crossing the line +18.1 seconds behind, while Sweden’s Oeberg took third place with a time of +26.2 seconds. Oeberg’s impressive rise from 37th to third, paired with the best running time, was a highlight of the race, all witnessed by a lively crowd of 20,500 at the Rennsteig Arena.
In contrast, World Cup leader Franziska Preuß struggled and ended up in 20th place, despite improving her position by eight spots. Following a challenging race earlier in the week, Preuß needed to perform flawlessly in shooting to secure a top finish. Unfortunately, her first shot went astray, leading to three penalty loops and dashed hopes for a podium finish. Nevertheless, she maintains her lead in the overall standings. “I had higher expectations for myself. It’s crucial to have a good day to move up, but I made too many mistakes in shooting,” Preuß lamented.
Julia Tannheimer, who performed well in the sprint, narrowly missed out on the top ten, finishing in twelfth place after struggling with targets in her initial shooting rounds. Sophie Schneider and Julia Kink faced challenges as well, both ending up with three penalty loops and finishing in 27th and 32nd places, respectively.
Challenges for Other Competitors
Home favorite Vanessa Voigt faced an early exit from the competition due to health issues, as she did not qualify for the pursuit. “It seems she was affected more severely by her illness during the holidays,” explained DSV sports director Felix Bitterling. Additionally, Paula Botet, who took home the sprint victory, could not maintain her momentum and fell to 13th place in the pursuit, struggling with five shooting errors.
As the biathlon World Cup continues, fans can follow the calendar to keep track of all upcoming events, including the World Championships in Lenzerheide and the season finale in Oslo. The excitement in Oberhof marks a thrilling start to the new year in biathlon.