2023-11-25 17:18:00
France will not have waited to unlock its counter. Three short hours after the 3rd place won by Julia Simon and Fabien Claude in the event opening the winter, the single mixed relay, the Blues won, this Saturday in Ostersund, the mixed relay with four biathletes. Launched by Quentin Fillon Maillet, Emilien Jacquelin and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, the blue train crossed the finish line first, via Lou Jeanmonnot, who was able to defeat Norway’s Ingrid Tandrevold (2nd at 16″) at price of a last masterful shot. Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi completes the podium (+40″).
Second race and already first victory for the Blues. However, this was not a given after the first two passages, those of the gentlemen. After a solid performance from opener Quentin Fillon Maillet (3rd at 9″ from Tarjei Boe, 2 picks), France found itself relegated to almost a minute behind Norway at mid-race. Emilien Jacquelin was was sanctioned with a penalty lap on the standing shot, where he had presented himself in the company of Johannes Boe. The Isérois nevertheless limited the damage on the track (only 7″ behind the big Boe in 6km of ski) to pass the baton in 5th position to Justine Braisaz-Bouchet.
Coach Fourcade “very satisfied” with the first day of racing despite “details to be sorted out for the boys”
The perfect race of Braisaz-Bouchet and Jeanmonnot
For her return to competition, after a blank season where she became a mother, the biathlete from Les Saisies released “one of the most accomplished races of her career”, as she confided on the Chaîne l ‘Team. Imperial on the skis, she was also behind the rifle by achieving the 10/10, a first for her in relay. Enough to make a fantastic comeback. Starting 54″ behind Karoline Knotten, she was 8″6 ahead when she launched Lou Jeanmonnot into 1st position.
Perfect: how Braisaz-Bouchet overturned the mixed relay to launch France to success
The youngest member of the French team did not give in. Ingrid Tandrevold made the junction in the 2nd lap before giving in on the last shot, her little pickaxe left on the way being too much against the impeccable Jeanmonnot, author like Braisaz-Bouchet of a perfect shot. The Norwegian still had a tiny hope of coming back in the last 2km loop (13″ behind at the start). But Jeanmonnot was resourceful and won with an even greater gap at the finish. Les Bleus , and especially its ladies, will be able to present themselves on Sunday, for the first individual event of the winter, with full confidence.
Jeanmonnot shot down Tandrevold’s hopes: the face-to-face which gave victory to the Blues
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