Oberhof (Germany) (AFP)
The French ladies' relay won its first podium of the season in the Biathlon World Cup at Oberhof on Saturday, with Norway winning its third success in 3 races this winter.
The French quartet (Julia Simon, Anaïs Bescond, Célia Aymonier, Justine Braisaz) finished 33.1 seconds behind the Norwegians (Solemdal, Tandrevold, Roeiseland, Eckhoff), Sweden (E. Oeberg, Persson, Brorsson, H. Oeberg) ending 2nd.
Long at the forefront and even placed just behind Norway after the 3rd relay provided by Célia Aymonier, despite a fall on a track in freezing places, the Blue lost all hope of victory after the 3 errors of Justine Braisaz in his standing shot .
Satisfaction is, however, on the French side with this first podium since February 8, 2019 in Canmore (Canada).
"It feels good to succeed in putting things in place, we were chasing after and there was general frustration in December," said Anaïs Bescond on L'Equipe.
"We were impatiently awaiting this podium," said Les Bleues coach Frédéric Jean. We knew they had the level to do it but they couldn't do it. We told them yesterday to to put things in place as they know how to do in individual races. It is encouraging because we are still winning on the last standing shot of the race. "
For Norway, this is the fourth success in a row on the circuit, including the one won at the Ostersund Worlds last season.
© 2020 AFP