The double for Lou Jeanmonnot. At the end of an epic fight with Franziska Preuss in the last lap, the Frenchwoman, victorious in the sprint on Friday and starting in first position this Sunday, showed character to take on the pursuit of Östersund (Sweden), on the nose and in front of the German (2nd at 0.3 seconds). Another German, Vanessa Voigt, completes the podium, 18 seconds behind Jeanmonnot.
The 25-year-old Frenchwoman built her success thanks to a perfect shot (20/20) and a profitable effort in the final straight. If Franziska Preus (19/20) was generally stronger on her skis, keeping the lead until the last meters, the Jura native gave up nothing to beat her competitor on the line and sign her second World Cup success.
Great comebacks for the French
The other French biathletes made great comebacks. Starting 16th, the holder of the big globe Julia Simon took 7th place (18/20), while Sophie Chauveau went from 20th to 12th place (18/20). Fast on skis, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet completed the pursuit in 15th position, despite three errors on the shooting range (17/20).
Sick, Gilonne Guigonnat and Chloé Chevalier, well placed during the sprint (8th and 12th respectively), did not take part in the race. In total, of the sixty biathletes entered, eleven had to withdraw.