The French mixed relay wins the gold medal ahead of the Norwegian Ogre

Biathlon – A great collective performance to open the 2024 Biathlon Worlds. After settling for third place last year, the French quartet formed by Justine Bressaz-Buchette, Julia Simon, Eric Perot and Quentin Fillon Mallet took the supreme victory this Wednesday, February 7, on the Czech slopes of Nove Mesto. Norway of the Boi brothers and Sweden of the Oberg sisters complete this first podium.

A new coronation for French biathlon, which thus offers its first gold medal during this first day of mixed relay racing. A finer display as discipline vampirized by Norway, victorious in the last four World titles. France’s last coronation was in 2016.

This year, France fielded a unique team with Eric Perot, the likes of Emilion Jacqueline. Departing first in rain and soft snow, the 22-year-old made two mistakes on his prone shot. With 20 seconds left behind the lead, in possession of Germany, he made his delay part on skis. Author of a flawless standing shot, he then took the lead during the second pass on skis and perfectly launched Fillon Mallet against German Philipp Navarath and Norwegian star Johans Bohn.

Julia Simon to end the royal race

Germany regained the lead with 13 seconds left after a prone shot, during which Philon Mallet had to draw once. The Frenchman, on the other hand, was most solid during the standing shots with just one error as Navrath and Bo drew three times.

Then came the turn of the blues. Justine Bresas-Buchette finished 8 seconds behind Franziska Prius’s Germany for the first time. But the Frenchwoman was forced into a penalty round after being hampered by the wind during her prone shot. The Frenchwoman managed her standing shot better with a single pick as Preuss cracked and relinquished the lead to Norwegian Caroline Ofigstad Knott. Bressaz-Bouchet regained the lead with Julia Simon leading Switzerland by six seconds and Norway by eight.

Royal with 5/5 in prone shots, Simon finished 24 seconds ahead of Norway’s Ingrid Landmark Tendrevold, who had to use a pick ball. Simone did it again with another flawless performance in the standing shot before giving France a dream debut in Nove Mesto.

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