The French counter is unblocked in Beijing! As four years ago in Pyeongchang, the tricolor mixed relay is on the podium in biathlon. But this time, the Blues could not do better than money, Saturday February 5.
On complicated snow and in stubborn cold, the French team made up of Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet, Julia Simon, Emilien Jacquelin and Quentin Fillon Maillet had to fight against the wind, before being blown away in first place in the sprint at the outcome of an intense duel with the Russians and the Norwegians, crowned Olympic champions.
Long in the game, the French therefore cracked in the last meters against the triple Norwegian world champions led by Johannes Boe. The Blues however came back from afar after a timid first stint from Anaïs Chevalier Bouchet, finished in eighth place after a penalty lap on the second shot.
Taking advantage of a wind that came to redistribute the cards on the fourth shot of the day, Julia Simon put the French back in the race after the second stint. Fast on skis and author of a 10/10 in shooting, the French allowed Emilien Jacquelin to take over in first position. After a first ultra-fast and precise shot from the biathlete, we thought the Blues were on their way to the gold medal.
Unfortunately, Emilien Jacquelin did not experience the same success in standing shooting, receiving two rounds of penalties which squandered the French lead. At the start of the last stint, Quentin Fillon Maillet thus started in third position, 17 seconds behind the Russians.
Patron of the Blues, the leader of the World Cup for men held his rank and brought the French back to second place after a first shot lying perfectly controlled, and a second standing just as fast. But in his wake, the Norwegian Johannes Boe was boosted and snatched the title on the gong. Highly anticipated, the French biathletes are already making their supporters smile. While waiting for the rest, the Blues are launched.