On the French contingent will be spread across five winter‑sport disciplines, each with a slate of athletes hoping to add to the nation’s medal tally. The schedule, released by the event organizers, shows a packed day that begins with Alpine skiing at 10:00 a.m. And concludes with speed‑skating relays after 10:00 p.m. Even as the competition itself will be the focus for spectators, the French team also carries recent off‑snow storylines that could shape the atmosphere in the athletes’ village.
Alpine skiing – Women’s giant slalom
At 10:00 a.m., the women’s giant slalom will feature two French skiers: L. Anguenot and A. Elezi Cannaferina. The event, a technical test of line choice and edge control, is the first Alpine race of the day and offers an early chance for France to register points on the podium. Both athletes have been listed on the start list, confirming their participation in the race that typically draws a deep field of World Cup‑season regulars.
Freestyle skiing – Women’s parallel slopestyle
Just after the Alpine competition, at 10:30 a.m., the freestyle arena will host the women’s parallel slopestyle. France’s representatives, P. Laffont, M. Duaux and C. Cabrol, will line up for a head‑to‑head format that rewards creativity and precision on a course of jumps and rails. The parallel format heightens the pressure, as a single mistake can end a run, making each skier’s composure as important as technical skill.
Cross‑country skiing – Women’s 4 × 7.5 km relay
The same morning, at 10:30 a.m., the cross‑country relay will notice the French women’s team of J. Pierrel, C. Pagnier, L. Perry and D. Claudel take the start. The relay, covering a total of 30 km, tests endurance, pacing and teamwork. Each leg is run in classic technique, and a smooth hand‑off is essential for maintaining momentum against the field.
Biathlon – Women’s sprint
At 14:45, the biathlon sprint provides the most complex narrative of the day. The French lineup includes L. Jeanmonnot, J. Simon, O. Michelon and J. Braisaz‑Bouchet. Julia Simon’s presence is particularly notable because she returned to competition after serving a one‑month suspension linked to a conviction for credit‑card fraud and a theft case involving teammate Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet. According to a court ruling on 24 October 2025, Simon was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with suspended execution and a €15,000 fine for the offences that dated back to the summer of 2022.
The case resurfaced in December 2025 when Lou Jeanmonnot publicly disclosed that the daughter of Justine Braisaz‑Bouchet had received death threats. In an interview following her sprint victory in Hochfilzen, Jeanmonnot said, Là où moi je suis profondément déçue c’est pour Justine, je trouve qu’elle paye beaucoup trop cher quelque chose dont elle a été victime à un moment
. The French Ski Federation (FFS) responded swiftly, issuing a statement that it “condemns with the greatest firmness any form of violence or harassment” and affirmed that “no such behaviour has a place in sport or in society.” The federation added that protecting athletes and preserving a climate of trust within the national teams is a “priority absolue.”
Fabien Saguez, president of the FFS, later acknowledged the tense atmosphere, noting, L’ambiance est difficile dans le groupe (féminin), c’est lié aux histoires et c’est bien logique
. The biathlon sprint, a 7.5 km race with two shooting bouts, will therefore unfold under a backdrop of heightened scrutiny. Simon’s performance will be watched not only for points but also as a barometer of her reintegration into the squad, while Braisaz‑Bouchet, an Olympic champion in the 12.5 km mass start at the 2022 Beijing Games, will be navigating the psychological impact of the threats reported against her family.
Speed skating – Women’s distances and relay
The evening’s speed‑skating programme begins at 20:15 with the women’s 1 500 m, featuring Q. Fercoq and É. Bastier. The 1 000 m follows at 21:01, with A. Leveque and C. Ollivier taking the ice. The day concludes at 22:05 with the women’s 3 000 m relay, a team event that combines speed, strategy and seamless exchanges. French skaters have consistently been competitive in long‑track events, and the relay offers a final opportunity for the nation to close the day with a podium finish.
What the day means for French winter sport
Saturday’s lineup illustrates the breadth of France’s winter‑sport program, with representation from Alpine, freestyle, cross‑country, biathlon and speed skating. Each discipline carries its own set of stakes. In Alpine and freestyle skiing, early results can set the tone for the rest of the championship, influencing start‑order draws for later events. The cross‑country relay tests depth, as the nation must field four strong skiers to contend with traditional powerhouses.
The biathlon sprint is the most closely watched, not only because of the medals at stake but also due to the lingering fallout from the Simon‑Braisaz‑Bouchet case. The federation’s firm stance against harassment and the public statements from teammates signal an effort to restore unity within the women’s squad. How the athletes respond on the range—maintaining composure during the prone and standing shooting stages—will be a tangible measure of the team’s resilience.
In speed skating, the schedule’s staggered distances allow French athletes to showcase both sprint speed and endurance. The relay, in particular, will test the squad’s coordination after a long day of individual races, offering a final showcase of teamwork before the championships move on to the next set of events.
Looking ahead
As the French team navigates the challenges of Saturday, the outcomes will shape the narrative heading into the remainder of the competition. Strong performances could reinforce the nation’s position in the overall medal table, while any setbacks—especially in the biathlon sprint—might prompt further internal review of team dynamics and support structures.
Regardless of the results, the day underscores the dual reality facing elite athletes: the pursuit of excellence on the snow and ice, and the management of off‑field issues that can influence performance. The French delegation’s ability to compartmentalize these pressures will be on display from the first turn in giant slalom to the final lap of the speed‑skating relay.
