French biathletes start training in Austria

The French women's biathlon team has started their seasonal training in Ramsau, Austria, after snow arrived on the Dachstein glacier. The athletes previously trained at a local stadium with targets but now are at nearly 3,000 meters altitude, using a gondola to reach their training location.

First skiing session nears World Cup

The team's first cross-country skiing session of the 2026/2027 season took place less than 50 days before the World Cup begins. Amandine Mengin from the Vosges said the team feels mentally prepared and in the "final straight" of their preparation, while Voldiya Galmace-Paulin from Haute-Savoie expressed joy at being able to ski, calling it an anticipated moment that marks the start of winter.

Training split and festival plans

The team will split on Friday, with some athletes going to Bavaria for the Loop One Festival in Munich and others heading to Arçon (Doubs) for the second stage of the Summer Tour. The French men's team, currently at the FFS headquarters in Annecy, will soon travel to Font-Romeu and Ramsau for a new training camp.

Uncertainty and team composition

The French women's team began training in Ramsau without knowing if they would be able to ski due to initial conditions. The team includes both experienced athletes and newcomers, as noted by Stéphane Bouthiaux in an interview with Nordic Magazine.

Criticism of festival decision

The decision not to send all top athletes to the Loop One Festival has been criticized as not making sense from a sports perspective. Some argue that the event could have provided valuable exposure and preparation time for the athletes.