Two French men already have their places for the start of the 2026/27 Biathlon World Cup: Eric Perrot and Quentin Fillon-Maillet have been pre-selected. Seven athletes will compete for the remaining five spots at the season-opening races in Geilo, Norway, on 14 and 15 November. Stéphane Bouthiaux, head of French biathlon, set out the plan to Nordic Magazine.
Two names already on the list
According to Nordic Magazine, an automatic place goes to any athlete who finished on an individual podium in the World Cup or at the Olympic Games last winter. Perrot won the big crystal globe for the overall World Cup last season. Fillon-Maillet, who races for DOUANE / Ski Club du Grandvaux, finished 11th in the overall standings, according to ski-nordique.net.
Émilien Jacquelin would also have qualified automatically. However, he has decided to skip the 2026/27 season to concentrate on cycling, so he will not race.
Paturel's globe opens an extra spot
One reason five spots are available in Geilo is Gaëtan Paturel. He won the IBU Cup overall title last season, and under rule 15.6.3.c. of the IBU competition rules this gives France an extra quota place. Bouthiaux, director of the French biathlon teams, told Nordic Magazine:
"En plus des présélectionnés, on emmène sept garons là-haut pour jouer la sélection"
Four of the candidates come from Group A: Fabien Claude, Émilien Claude, Oscar Lombardot and Paturel. The other three come from Group B: Valentin Lejeune, Théo Guiraud-Poillot and Damien Levet. The coaching staff said they included the Group B athletes because of their experience and their IBU Cup results. Ski-nordique.net reports that the staff will also use the Geilo races to fine-tune their preparation on snow.
BiathlonIBU changes mass start rule: only top 20 qualify automaticallyThe athletes who qualify will race at the first two World Cup stops, in Kontiolahti, Finland, and then Hochfilzen, Austria.
IBU Cup places decided in Bessans
The two athletes who miss out will start their season in the IBU Cup. They are guaranteed places at the first two stops in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, and Sjusjøen, Norway, which means two of France's six spots there are already taken. According to Bouthiaux, the other four will be decided over three selection races in Bessans, with each athlete's two best results counting.
Nordic Magazine lists the candidates as including Léo Carlier, Camille Grataloup-Manissolle, Corentin Jacob, Guillaume Poirot, Flavio Guy, Nans Madelenat, Enzo Bouillet, Antonin Delsol, Judicaël Perrillat-Bottonet, Antonin Guy, Ian Martinet, Axel Garnier, Lou Thievent, Edgar Geny, Martin Botet and Ilann Dupont.
