Jeanmonnot celebrates third win of the season in the pursuit
From seven to one: Lou Jeanmonnot has won the pursuit race at the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2025 in Oberhof and ensured that the French festive days on the Rennsteig continue. In fantastic winter weather, the 26-year-old only missed one shot and improved by six places compared to the sprint.
The runner-up in the overall World Cup rankings, who is standing at the top for the third time this season, won with a lead of 18.1 seconds ahead of Norway's Maren Kirkeeide (2 misses), who confirmed her sprint result precisely. The young skier lost her rifle on the journey to Oberhof. However, the World Cup organiser's transport service did not throw in the towel, drove to Frankfurt airport and handed the relieved 21-year-old her weapon shortly before the sprint race. For Kirkeeide, who is celebrating her second podium finish in Oberhof, this nail biter was apparently no reason to get fidgety hands.
Third place went to Elvira Oeberg (+26.2 seconds/1 miss) from Sweden, who improved by 34 places with an outstanding catch up race and the best net time in the pursuit. The best German athlete was Selina Grotian, who only had to go twice into the penalty loop and stormed from 10th to 5th place (+33.6). In between, the 20-year-old even fought for the podium to the delight of the 20,500 spectators in the sold-out ARENA am Rennsteig. On the final lap however, she was no match for the outstanding Oeberg. Remarkable: In the final sprint against the strong Frenchwoman Jeanne Richard, Grotian came out on top by a razor-thin margin in a photo finish.
‘It was top conditions today,’ praised Grotian the external conditions and the outstanding atmosphere in the stadium and along the course. About the fascination and challenge at the Birxsteig, the 20-year-old said: ‘I went into the race relaxed and didn't let myself be rushed. I counted in my head and then told myself: Now going up two more times, then it will be easier. It's brutal. You always want to run faster, but you can’t.’
The second youngster in the DSV team, Julia Tannheimer, also impressed again in twelfth place (+1:13.1 /3 misses). Franziska Preuß once again did not have her best day and had to settle for 20th place after three penalty loops. At least the DSV star improved by eight places, but her lead over Jeanmonnot in the overall World Cup standing continues to shrink. Sophia Schneider in 27th place (+3:02.9/3 misses) and Julia Kink in 32nd place (+3:51.4/3 misses) also collected World Cup points.