January 19, 2025 is a date that Jeanne Richard will remember for a long time: her first World Cup podium, third place in the Ruhpolding Women’s Mass Start, achieved by a brilliant 20-for-20 shooting, while gamely challenging established stars like Franziska Preuss and Dorothea Wierer on the tracks.

Richard’s podium was almost predestined after a fourth place in the Annecy Le Grand Bornand Mass Start that saw her miss by just 0.1 seconds as well as another fourth in the Pursuit, and the desire to “get revenge” for that almost-podium in front of her home crowd. The 22-year-old is no rookie who got lucky. She won five Silver IBU Junior World Championships medals in 2023 and the 2022 IBU Junior Cup Pursuit Score Crystal Globe. Last season, Richard won an IBU Cup Sprint before jumping to the World Cup and helping France win the Ruhpolding Women’s Relay in just her third World Cup start. This year, she currently leads the Blue Bib (Under 23) competition and is shooting at a career-best 92% clip.

A couple of hours after her World Cup podium, the rising French star answered our Five Burning Questions and told us about how she spends her time between competitions.

Biathlonworld: What was the key to staying calm in the last shooting in today’s mass start?

Jeanne Richard: Today, I only focused on holding the rifle with my left hand, maybe a bit stronger than usual.

BW: Your shooting is up to 92%, what did you do differently during the summer to improve so much?

JR: I just had the chance to train with the best in the world! And when I’m at home, I put the rifle aside to stay fresh.

BW: The early part of the season was not so good, what changed in Annecy Le Grand Bornand because since then you have been in the top 6 four times, had the mixed relay podium and now an individual podium?

JR: My skiing form improved, and I’m starting to gain experience on this circuit, which helps a lot!

BW: How much fun is it battling with teammate Oceane Michelon for the Blue (Under 23) Bib?

JR: This challenge is really motivating and sharing it in part with Océ pushes us both to new heights!

BW: How long have you been dreaming of a day like this day?

JR: I’ve mostly been dreaming of hitting a perfect 20/20 since the beginning of the season.

Biathlonworld Bonus: What is your favorite thing to do between races to relax and have a bit of fun?

Jeanne Richard: At home, I love ski touring in the fresh powder when there’s some! Otherwise, during competition weeks, I write while blasting music.

Richard has her perfect shooting, individual, relay, and mixed relay podiums so the next step is an individual World Cup win!

Photos: IBU/Svoboda, Nordic Focus