the double for Julia Simon crowned in the pursuit, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet in bronze

By retaining her title in the pursuit on Sunday in Nove Mesto, the Frenchwoman won her third individual world title.

The dream World Championships of the French women’s biathlon team continue. Two days after her victory in the sprint in front of her three compatriots, Julia Simon achieved the double by winning the gold medal in the pursuit, Sunday February 11, in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic).

She retains her title of world champion in the specialty acquired last season in Oberhof (Germany) and therefore wins her third career individual world title, and her fifth counting the team events. The Italian Lisa Vittozzi (2nd, +46”3) and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (+49”3) complete the podium. Sophie Chauveau takes fourth place, 57″6 behind the winner.

All smiles after the fourth and final shot, Julia Simon had time to savor her new consecration as she mastered the race from start to finish. Starting five seconds ahead of Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, she crossed the line with a comfortable lead over her pursuers.

A third supersonic shot

Her victory came with the third shot, the first standing, when she was in a duel with Justine Braisaz-Bouchet. Thanks to a supersonic 5/5, she pushed her to the fault to fly away alone before a final shot that was still as fast as it was perfect. Unlike her compatriot (16/20), the defending champion in the general classification of the World Cup has, as usual, built her success behind the rifle (19/20).

Still as comfortable on the boards (second ski time), Justine Braisaz-Bouchet managed to maintain a place on the podium despite her four errors on the shooting range. This is the second individual bronze medal at the Worlds for the 2022 Olympic mass start champion who remains in search of a first coronation at the World Championships.

Julia Simon further forges her legend in the history of French biathlon with this third world title in as many races during this edition (with the mixed relay and the sprint). She is the third biathlete to retain her title in the pursuit after the Swede Magdalena Forsberg (1997 and 1998) and the German Laura Dahlmeier (2016 and 2017). At the same time, she is getting closer to Marie Dorin and her four individual gold medals at the Worlds, a record for the French women’s team.

She will have the opportunity to expand her collection with the individual, Tuesday, and the mass start, next Sunday. All this, without counting the women’s relay on Saturday.