The French Ski Federation has unveiled the composition of the training groups for the upcoming biathlon season, confirming the return of Siegfried Mazet and the continuity of Cyril Burdet in the coaching staff. Spring is in full swing, but winter is already on everyone’s minds at the French Ski Federation, which revealed on Monday the composition of the training groups for the upcoming season. The 2026-27 season will be marked by the nine World Cup stages between November 24 and March 21 (including a stage in Grand-Bornand from December 8 to 13) and the Otepää World Championships in Estonia from February 8 to 21. A rare fact to note is that no biathlete has decided to retire at the end of this Olympic season. They are all gearing up for another cycle, with most eyeing the 2030 Olympics on home soil.
In the men’s Elite group, we will see the likes of brothers Emilien and Fabien Claude, five-time Olympic champion Quentin Fillon Maillet, Emilien Jacquelin, Oscar Lombardot, World Cup winner Eric Perrot, and 22-year-old Gaëtan Paturel, winner of the IBU Cup. Paturel, who earned the right to compete in the World Cup last month, will be coached by Simon Fourcade, while Siegfried Mazet returns as the shooting coach after ten years with the rival Norwegian team.
On the women’s side, the Elite group will have one less member than the men’s group. It will include reigning overall World Cup champion Lou Jeanmonnot, three-time Olympic champion Julia Simon, experienced Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, and young talents Camille Bened, Océane Michelon, and Jeanne Richard. Cyril Burdet will continue as the coach of the French women, with Julien Robert taking over as the shooting coach from the retiring Jean-Paul Giachino. Now, the focus is on preparing well in the coming months to achieve a successful season like French biathlon just had.
:fill(black)/2026/05/05/69f9b43713385978551602.jpg "A great match to play: Antoine Griezmann one step away from one last final.")
