The French biathlon team has officially determined the first athletes guaranteed a spot in the main squad for the upcoming international season. According to selection criteria, athletes who reached the podium in individual World Cup races during the previous competitive year automatically secured their places.
Team Leaders and Last Season's Triumphs
Thanks to consistent and successful performances, Eric Perrot and Quentin Fillon Maillet earned automatic qualification. As explained by French national teams director Stéphane Bouthiaux, individual medalists hold unconditional priority. Consequently, Perrot and Fillon Maillet will start the competitive year in the main squad at the season opener in Kontiolahti, Finland.
For Eric Perrot, the previous season was historic: the Frenchman showed phenomenal form, winning the Overall World Cup Crystal Globe for the first time in his career and securing four individual victories at the highest level. Meanwhile, Quentin Fillon Maillet also confirmed his top-tier status, stepping onto the World Cup podium twice and claiming a triumphant gold medal in the sprint along with bronze in the mass start at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Emilien Jacquelin's Surprising Decision
The third French biathlete who met the automatic selection criteria through last season's podiums was Emilien Jacquelin. However, one of the team's long-standing leaders made a sensational decision to completely skip the upcoming biathlon season. Jacquelin intends to temporarily shift his athletic focus and develop his career in road cycling.
Team Quotas and Upcoming Internal Selection
Despite Jacquelin's absence, the French men's team retains a powerful roster, holding seven quotas for the World Cup start. The team secured an extra spot thanks to Gaétan Paturel's victory in the IBU Cup overall standings. The remaining squad spots will be decided through fierce internal competition, culminating in a pre-season qualifying race in Eildu, Norway, on November 14–15.
