Oberhof (Germany) (AFP)
French duo Julia Simon-Emilien Jacquelin won the Oberhof single mixed relay on Sunday, counting towards the Biathlon World Cup.
Impressive shooting (37/40), Simon and Jacquelin, long in the fight with the Norwegians Tiril Eckhoff and Johannes Boe, took advantage of the failure in the rifle of their rivals, yet ultra-dominant this season.
Tiril Eckhoff was thus sanctioned with three penalty laps on his last standing shot, nullifying the chances of victory for Norway, which nevertheless ended up snatching 3rd place.
Sweden (Hanna Oeberg, Sebastian Samuelsson) finished 2nd.
This French success is a great revenge for Emilien Jacquelin, who had scuttled the first two stints of the Blues in the World Cup by totally cracking the shooting range (8th in Kontiolahti, 6th in Hochfilzen).
"We have shown that we know how to learn from our mistakes. We have shown experience and intelligence today. These are races that we can rely on," said Jacquelin.
"We have this point in common with Julia to have a quick shot and a commitment necessary to shine on a mixed single, he added. It was already the case in the past, we had gone to seek medals at the Championships Europe together in this format. We know each other well, we know our strengths and weaknesses. And we will have the weapons to play at the Worlds (from February 10 to 21 in Pokljuka, editor's note). "
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