February 9, 2024 will be a milestone in the history of French biathlon. By finishing 1re2e3e et 4e in the sprint, Julia Simon, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Lou Jeanmonnot and Sophie Chauveau signed a memorable quadruple at the world championships in the discipline. On the Nove Mesto track, in the Czech Republic, the Blues left nothing to their opponents of the day. “I believe that, whatever the individual race in which we are going to field athletes, all the French women at the start can aim for something”advanced, visionary, the coach of the French women’s group, Cyril Burdet, before the start of the competition in the mountains of Bohemia-Moravia.
This exceptional collective performance would almost make one forget the joy of Julia Simon, crowned world sprint champion for the first time in her career. Until then, his best performance in this specialty during the Worlds dates back to last year, in Germany, with a modest tenth place. “I’m starting to realize, to shed a few tears, it’s exceptional”she said, still in shock, on the microphone of La Chaîne L’Equipe after the race.
The victory of the Savoyarde is not a surprise. Like her superb performance two days earlier during the Blues’ mixed relay victory, the 27-year-old has perfectly regained her skis and her marksmanship in recent weeks. Her difficult start to the season for non-sporting reasons – her teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet having filed a complaint against her for credit card theft – now seems to be behind her. Arriving in the Czech Republic with full confidence after her victory at the last mass start in Antholz (Italy), in the World Cup – the circuit of events contested throughout the winter – Julia Simon appeared stronger than ever .
Faced with tenacious competitors, like the Norwegian Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold or the Swede Elvira Oeberg, the Frenchwoman never wavered. Over the 7.5 kilometers of race, she was the fastest on skis against competitors who, like her, had achieved a flawless shooting. The second biathlete to start this sprint, she was unaware when crossing the finish line that she would be 5 seconds ahead of her runner-up, in this case her compatriot Justine Braisaz-Bouchet.
A four-way podium
On the difficult snow-covered slope of Nove Mesto – the site is located at an altitude of 600 meters – the latter once again gave great satisfaction. After a 9/10 in shooting, she climbed onto the sprint podium for the first time at the World Championships – after her seventh attempt. Back this season after maternity leave, the biathlete continues to string together podiums. Before this money, the native of Albertville (Savoie) had won four World Cup races.
Also considered a serious chance of a medal, Lou Jeanmonnot has also assumed her status. After missing a target, his strength on skis allowed him to climb onto the “box” winning bronze. The surprising Sophie Chauveau came to complete this exceptional race, with a more than encouraging fourth place. She even invited herself onto the podium to sing a Marseillaise with a very particular resonance. The young Jeanne Richard (21 years old), fifth and last Habs in the running, ranks fifteenth.
The French women will not be able to afford to celebrate this quadruplet too much, since they will be back on the snow on Sunday, at 2:30 p.m. In order and with the sprint gaps, they will set off for the spectacular race of the pursuit. The perfect opportunity to continue their harvest.