Biathlon: Yulia Simon wins a big crystal globe, “the culmination of a monstrous winter”

After the postponement of the sprint (leading to the cancellation of the pursuit) on Friday, due to the worsening weather, there was no unnecessary tension. But we still had to finish the work on the Oslo track. Giulia Simone, 26, had only 37 points left to score (between the sprint and the mass start on Sunday) to win the big crystal globe for the first time in her career, which is awarded to the best biathlete of the season in all specialties combined. And the successor to Sandrine Bailly, the last tricolor crowned in 2005.

It was enough for Savoy to finish in the worst sixth place to get ahead of Italy’s Dorothea Wierer, the only one who could challenge her for the precious trophy… who missed her race. And to make many girls talk, while the boys, despite Quentin Fillon Maillet’s 2nd place of the day, completely missed the season, which caused them to quarrel with their staff.

5th place just behind her compatriot Chloe Chevalier is more than enough to keep the Hubs happy. “At the finish line, I was disappointed with my time and saw that I would miss the podium,” the Frenchwoman blows into the team’s microphone. I gave my best, but still felt a little pressure when shooting standing up. I was divided at the beginning between the desire to go there and at the same time feverish legs, because it was a moment to flesh out and show that this was not a chance. »

The consecration in Norway, home of the discipline, crowns a magnificent season in which the Blues leader also won the World Pursuit title, her first individual medal in a one-day event. The award, in particular, for his impressive prone regularity (after he regained all his technique) and the maturity that took him from a supporting role to a solid headliner in a matter of months.

“It even goes beyond that,” continues Julia Simon. All this is built on a long-term perspective. This is four, five years of work. I have always strived to be among the best. I dream of going up here. There were ups and downs. People will say it sucks, but this is the culmination of a monstrous winter. I went through the disease, I learned to listen to my body, I managed to take a step back and have an incredible season. »

This woodworking enthusiast, CAP-certified carpenter and self-made one of her rifle parts, carved out a trusty brain in collaboration with Marie-Laure Brunet, Vancouver 2010 Olympics bronze medalist and mental coach.

“She is an amazing athlete,” Brunet explained to us a few weeks ago. I sometimes hear that this is the first in the context when some athletes, Russians and Belarusians are missing. (Editor’s note: suspended with the start of the war in Ukraine), Roiseland at the beginning of the season, Tiril Eckhoff… but given what she shows, I think it would be the same. She didn’t steal anything. »

Even on the roof of the world, the Les Sasies sports club resident (where she grew up with her two younger sisters and farmer parents) shouldn’t be dizzy. “I’m trying to get through this by just staying in what I’m good at and being the person that I am,” explains the one who hates being called Juju.

“She’s the kind of person who asserts herself, knows what she wants and doesn’t want,” Brunet continues. A dyslexic little girl, a fan of Rafael Poiret, found in sports a way to gain self-confidence and impose herself. In every sense of the word.

It will be difficult for the Habs to let the team go before the end of the mass start on Sunday, but they have scheduled a toast with the staff on Saturday night. Referring to the image of his parents encouraging him on the course. “This is only the second time they have come to me abroad,” she smiles. I am shy. This is great. They have always been present without overdoing it, and today is a great moment…”