France crowned for the first time in the women’s relay

The French held their place as big favorites by winning the women’s relay for the first time in their history, Saturday during the Biathlon World Championships in Nove Mesto.

Lou Jeanmonnot, Sophie Chauveau, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Julia Simon gave France a ninth medal in the Czech Republic, the fifth in gold, consolidating the Blues’ first place in the rankings medals.

After two victories in the mixed and single mixed relays, France is currently doing well in the team events, before the men’s relay on Saturday afternoon, a priori promised to Norway age. The French won with a 38 second lead over Sweden and 1 min 14 over Germany.

Lou Jeanmonnot put the French quartet into orbit thanks to an impressive first stint, during which she scored a 10/10.

Things then got worse during the passage of Sophie Chauveau, feverish when confirming her team’s lead: the 24-year-old biathlete had to turn twice on the ring. ©nality, the fault of a faulty shot.

Chauveau launched Justine Braisaz-Bouchet 45 seconds behind the lead, but the third French runner then launched a spectacular comeback, using only one pickaxe.

Supersonic on skis, better than her rivals on a windy launch pad, Braisaz-Bouchet restored France to first place.

Ideal for the big winner of these Worlds, Julia Simon, winner of the pursuit/sprint block and the last French relay runner.

Simon then maintained the Blue lead, despite a scare during the standing shot (three picks), and raced towards victory, a first for a French women’s relay at the World Championships.

The men’s relay will start at 4:30 p.m., with the Norwegians heavily favored, thanks to their three titles in the individual events, including two hat-tricks.

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