Biathlon - Worlds (F): The French women win the first relay title in their history!

2024-02-17 14:06:30

Published on February 17, 2024 at 3:06 p.m. – updated on February 17, 2024 at 3:40 p.m.

Marie Mahé

This Saturday, the French women’s biathlon team won the first relay world champion title in its history.

The French women’s biathlon team is definitely incredible. This Saturday, the Bleues won the very first world relay champion title in their history. At the finish, the French were ahead of Sweden and Germany. However, France went through all the emotions during this race. First to set off, Lou Jeanmonnot placed hers in orbit, thanks to a 10/10, even allowing herself to completely explode the peloton. Remaining in the lead from start to finish, Jeanmonnot passed the baton to Sophie Chauveau, with a lead of around 16 seconds. This is then where everything got complicated for the Tricolores. Chauveau pitted three times and took a penalty lap, coming out fifth, 15 seconds from the lead, to start. Before doing it again, during a second visit to the equally nightmarish shooting range. To come out, this time, ninth, more than 46 seconds behind the first place occupied, at that moment, by a surprising team from Estonia. The gap was roughly similar at the time of the handover.

Braisaz-Bouchet in great form

At that moment, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet took matters in hand, and in style. Upon arrival for its first shot, the Habs had moved up to fifth place, with a delay falling to 24 seconds. A flawless performance then allowed the Frenchwoman to come out fourth, 18 seconds from the lead. For her last shot, Braisaz-Bouchet had already returned to contact with Sweden, who had taken the lead. Despite a pickaxe, in the end, the Frenchwoman took first place. Before taking off, on skis, and passing the baton to Julia Simon, with a lead of around 18 seconds. Simon had to draw from the start, but it had no impact. The Frenchwoman then gave herself a final scare, completing her last shot with three final picks. At the exit, the Tricolore had more than a minute in advance, thanks to poor Swedish and German shooting. Enough to complete a final lap in complete peace of mind. To then raise your arms again at the finish line.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (F) / NOVE MESTO RELAY (CZECH REPUBLIC)
Final ranking – Saturday February 17, 2024
1- France in 1h15’00”8 (2 penalty laps + 11 picks)
2- Sweden at 38”3 (1+12)
3- Germany at 1’14”2 (0+9)
4- Estonia at 1’40”1 (0+11)
5- Ukraine at 2’08”8 (0+10)
6- Poland at 2’14”6 (0+3)
7- Czech Republic at 2’22”7 (2+12)
8- Austria at 2’34”4 (2+9)
9- Switzerland at 3’29”3 (3+6)
10- Norway at 3’42”8 (5+16)
…