the French control the wind and offer gold in relay

A race to get back on track. In the rain and in the gusts of wind, the French proved to be the most skilful, and the fastest, on Saturday February 18, during the men’s relay of the world championships, in Oberhof (Germany). After bronze in the mixed relay and gold in pursuit for Julia Simon, Antonin Guigonnat, Fabien Claude, Emilien Jacquelin and Quentin Fillon Maillet brought gold to the French team. They won ahead of Norway (+ 38″) and Sweden (+ 1’39”).

Chased by the insatiable Norwegian Johannes Boe, Quentin Fillon Maillet ensured victory for the French with a final ultra-fast and faultless standing shot. Enough to keep a comfortable mattress for around thirty seconds to cross the finish line in the lead ahead of the fastest biathlete on the circuit. With this victory, the Blues also deprive the leader of the World Cup of his dream of a grand slam in these Worlds.

A renewed positive momentum

A time threatened with cancellation, the event took place in difficult conditions, marked by violent gusts, which reshuffled the cards several times. The surprise almost came from the Czechs, screwed to the leading duo until the penultimate shot. The Norwegian team, undefeated in the relay this season, came from afar to claim silver. Twice trapped by the wind, she was more than a minute behind the front of the race.

In the Worlds so far gloomy for men (only three top 10 in three individual races), the men’s tricolor collective has shown a completely different face. By limiting breakage on shots (one lap penalty and nine pickaxes) and keeping up the pace on skis (second time, 1’34” behind the Norwegians), the French never left the lead. confirmed their good disposition on the exercise this season: since the resumption of the World Cup, the Tricolores had already climbed on the podium three times in four races.

Launched into a positive dynamic, the Blues will have one last chance to fill the medal counter a little more on Sunday, with the mass-start. During the last Worlds, in Pokljuka (Slovenia), Quentin Fillon Maillet won bronze there.