the French women’s relay triumphs in Oberhof and completes a dream weekend

The Swedes and Norwegians were unable to follow the French torchbearers on Sunday. Julia Simon, winner the day before in pursuit, completed the first collective victory of the winter.

They don’t know Sunday rest. The French relay claimed victory on Sunday January 7 in Oberhof (Germany), ahead of Norway (+9”3) and Sweden (+33”5). Julia Simon, winner of the pursuit on Saturday, kept a few seconds ahead after a final delicate shot. Before her, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Sophie Chauveau had been very convincing on the track. This first victorious relay of the winter completes a perfect weekend, after the individual successes of Justine Braisaz-Bouchet in the sprint, Friday, and therefore of Julia Simon, Saturday.

In the space of twenty-four hours, Julia Simon came back very strongly, leaving behind her a bitter start to winter, where she had said to herself “mentally cooked” by the heavy extra-sporting context. In the wake of the double world champion, the women’s relay recorded its best result of the season, after fifth place in Östersund (Sweden), then third in Hochfilzen (Austria). Last season, he finished at the top of the World Cup rankings.

The youngest of the relay, Sophie Chauveau (24), climbs to the top of the box for the first time in her World Cup career. Immense joy after his third place in the sprint on Friday. “I thought about it in my last lap and said to Julia: “Please let us win,” she told the Channel L’Equipe. We are in good shape and we can be really proud of ourselves. It’s completely crazy, I can’t believe it.” “We were a pretty well-rounded team,” for her part, appreciates Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, recovered from her disappointment of the day before.

Earlier, the men’s relay placed only seventh in a race won by Norway. The next stage of the World Cup will take place from Wednesday in Ruhpolding (Germany).