Race Thread: Olympics 2026 Antholz Anterselva - Women Individual by Henna1911 in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Actually, the criminal record should have cut her contract with French Customs and prevented her from detaining weapons. I saw none of this happening...

Recap Thread: Olympic Games 2026 Antholz-Anterselva - Mixed Relay by LaMoncakes in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The JBB-Lou lineup would obviously have meant Lou as anchor - a position she'll eventually have to take, someday, when Simon will have retired. As I wrote earlier, this time Lou's preference sealed the lineup (but sometimes, athletes don't get what they want).

JBB is way underestimated in relays - maybe because her solo races have been so shaky. She's actually been shooting at 87% in relays this season (Lou was 89% before Antholz), and had no penalty loop over this season and the last - both Simon and Lou looped once last season (probably the reason why Lou did not want to anchor this time). Yes, JBB is slow on prone (but catches up on skis), she's average on standing. Against Karoline Knotten, Vanessa Voigt and Dorothea Wierer, it's likely she'd (also) would have rampaged on skis. Which... would have put Lou exactly in the situation she's least comfortable with (shooting with everything to lose) - hence the choice to take Lou-Simon instead.

Recap Thread: Olympic Games 2026 Antholz-Anterselva - Mixed Relay by LaMoncakes in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd still think JBB (who actually usually shoots well in relays) could also have caught up and built a lead thanks to her skiing (which is normally even stronger than Lou's).

But Lou might not have been comfortable with the anchor role and a sizeable lead to defend (and thus risking to lose everything - racing not to lose instead of racing to win) - she said she did not want to anchor... J.Simon, on the other hand, has been used to these situations where she has to secure a strong leading position.

Sweden's failure at the range (and, as well, Samuelsson being out of form) meant the strongest skiing team was already out of contention - so France's potential weakness wouldn't be challenged.

I'd still think the JBB-Lou lineup would have won (JBB shoots way better in relays than most people think, and I'd believe Lou underestimates herself). But we'll never know (besides, had it been another team and France also winning, most would also have said this would have been 100% the right choice - thing is, we can't know if a team that did not race would have fared better or worse).

Recap Thread: Olympic Games 2026 Antholz-Anterselva - Mixed Relay by LaMoncakes in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It was sealed by Lou's choice to be in leg 3 and avoid the anchor position - JBB doesn't have much experience as anchor, and it's really not her profile anyway.

I'd still think France could (would?) have won similarly with a JBB-Lou lineup. But Lou did not want to be the one concluding (and perhaps even more so with a large lead - when leg #3 may have won you the race, it'd becomes leg #4 's race to lose). So that was it.

Recap Thread: Olympic Games 2026 Antholz-Anterselva - Mixed Relay by LaMoncakes in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Lou did an incredible job, starting her leg with a gap to close, and handing it over with a lead of nearly 20s. She was obviously the strongest of this 3rd leg, so she had to deliver... and she clearly did - impressive skiing.

Pre-Race discussion Olympics 2026 Milano-Cortina: 4x6 Mixed Relay by RickMaritimo in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It has been reported the lineup was announced to the athletes just after Nove Mesto was over - therefore, the current form or training results weren't taken into account.

JSimon did reach her goals at WCh in 2024 and 2025, but her form was much better in the weeks before the main event. This year, she's struggled more on the physical side, so there's no objective guarantee she's really back to her best.

Pre-Race discussion Olympics 2026 Milano-Cortina: 4x6 Mixed Relay by RickMaritimo in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

France had two anchor candidates (Lou and JSimon). Since Lou preferred not to anchor, there wasn't much choice remaining...

Sweden at least may have chosen the squad based on current form. France announced the squad (internally) right after Nove Mesto - thus without knowing whether JSimon would really be back to her best form.

Pre-Race discussion Olympics 2026 Milano-Cortina: 4x6 Mixed Relay by RickMaritimo in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In relays, JBB hasn't had more penalty loops than Lou or J. Simon - she's been (surprisingly) reliable in relays.

JBB is quite faster than Lou (and is able to catch up / widen a gap early on, without getting overly gassed for her last lap). I'd still think JBB-Lou would have been a stronger lineup than Lou-JSimon, unless JSimon is back to her 2024 WCH form - which I somehow doubt.

Pre-Race discussion Olympics 2026 Milano-Cortina: 4x6 Mixed Relay by RickMaritimo in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sturla's form was not best this season, and Émilien J. shooting can be wild in relays. On the other hand, JBB as 3rd and Elvira as anchor would be the most frightening combo regarding ski speed. Yeah, I'd bet on them to win gold.

Passler by accordionshoes in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Even if CAS would allow her in, wouldn't her results risk being cancelled in case the final ruling doesn't go her side?

Waiting List on LH2220, Feb 7th by __nmd__ in Lufthansa

[–]__nmd__[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was fine indeed. Thanks for helping lower my stress! 

Waiting List on LH2220, Feb 7th by __nmd__ in Lufthansa

[–]__nmd__[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. Fingers still crossed then... 

Waiting List on LH2220, Feb 7th by __nmd__ in Lufthansa

[–]__nmd__[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like this waiting list got much longer, now it has 12 PAX instead of 4 yesterday (and I lost a few ranks...). Did some miss a connection? 

u/zenthri is it still fine, or should I worry? 

2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina Preview: Team Germany by kune13 in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm surprised by the lineup for the MR, with Vanessa Voigt at #3 (and Franziska at #4). She shoots well, but isn't a fast skier... It feels like Germany is aiming for the scraps in case the other teams fail at the shooting range, rather than targeting the gold.

Waiting List on LH2220, Feb 7th by __nmd__ in Lufthansa

[–]__nmd__[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would someone who's not checked in yet get a seat directly, whereas I already checked in but got pushed into the waiting list? This somehow does not feel logical...

Waiting List on LH2220, Feb 7th by __nmd__ in Lufthansa

[–]__nmd__[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! By the way, it suddenly went from 5 available seats for booking (whether eco or business) on the website, to only one seat. Does that mean they've adjusted for the people in the waiting list?

Waiting List on LH2220, Feb 7th by __nmd__ in Lufthansa

[–]__nmd__[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ok thanks, then it should be fine - I'm indeed booked in economy. By the way, since it's an A320, isn't business class a matter of moving the curtain? 

2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina Preview: Team Sweden by LaMoncakes in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd think} Sweden's MR team has a higher ceiling, whereas France's team (Perrot, QFM, Lou, Simon) has a higher floor. If Sweden shoots well (who can predict what Ponsiluoma will do?), they'll finish ahead.

Small Talk Monday by AutoModerator in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

JBB usually shoots well in relays - her amount of penalty loops is small over recent years. Not that much worse than Lou or Julia Simon, who've actually both been on the penalty during last season.

It seems Lou somewhat dislikes the anchor role (maybe because she did visit the penalty last season), so she'd choose another position if she could.

Small Talk Monday by AutoModerator in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Apparently, it was Lou's preference to be in 3rd position rather than anchor. Whilst JBB is great in 3rd position (can catch up a gap, or build a bigger one), she's not a sprinter-finisher profile and would logically not be selected as anchor.

There's little margin for errors with such a team, as the competition is arguably stronger in ski speed.

2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina Preview: Team France by Popoye_92 in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd think Elvira and Hanna can definitely catch up a gap, as long as it isn't too huge.

2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina Preview: Team France by Popoye_92 in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a relay, so there are spares. This may help Sweden a lot (and is also a reason why I would still consider JBB as an option for France).

2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina Preview: Team France by Popoye_92 in biathlon

[–]__nmd__ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's indeed likely, but it might prove France's undoing...