The French snatched a place on the podium on Saturday, after an excellent last stint from Julia Simon.
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The France team can say thank you to Julia Simon. Starting in 7th position after the first three passages of the mixed relay of Oberhof, Saturday January 8, the biathlete of Albertville operated a crazy recovery. In its wake, the Blues have gained four ranks, to grab a place on the podium in extremis, ahead of Italy, Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic. Norway finally finished in the lead, ahead of Belarus.
The affair was not, however, easy. The France team never really weighed on this relay. “It’s a misunderstanding”, even declared Simon Desthieux at the end of his passage – in second position – at the microphone of the channel L’Equipe. Like him, Antonin Guigonnat and Anaïs Bescond suffered the crazy pace set by the Boe brothers in Norway. With 11 pickaxes in total, the French generally lacked shooting precision.
What a final stint for Julia Simon! France should go for a podium in this relay, behind Norway and Belarus
Follow the last round here> https://t.co/KlFMzhAYmq#teamBIATHLON pic.twitter.com/VjgyYO0OK6
– the L’Équipe channel (@lachainelequipe) January 8, 2022
In a very open relay behind the Norway-Belarus duo, France pulled out of the game thanks to Julia Simon. The German air suits her well: the world champion in the single mixed relay confirmed her fine performance the day before, finishing second in the sprint. After a difficult start to the season, his return to form is timely, four weeks before the start of the Beijing Olympics.
Should we be worried about French biathlon after this mixed performance despite the podium? Probably not. Emilien Jacquelin and Quentin Fillon Maillet were missing on Saturday, and the general form of the Blues since the start of the season (23rd podium) rather encourages optimism. And this even if the Norwegians, winners at Oberhof, have more than two minutes early at the finish.