Pokljuka (Slovenia) (AFP)
The French Simon Desthieux and Emilien Jacquelin won the silver and bronze medals in the sprint on Friday, the first of the France team at the Biathlon Worlds, the title going to the Swede Martin Ponsiluoma, without a victory on the circuit so far .
Desthieux (29 years old) achieved a feat, he who was experiencing great difficulties this season and had not been on a podium on the circuit since January 12, 2020. With a 10/10 on the rifle, he offers himself a 3rd world medal after silver (2017) and gold (2020) in relay.
Despite a small error with the rifle, Jacquelin (25), revelation of the last World Championships in 2020 in Anterselva (4 podiums including two gold medals), for his part confirmed that he was present during the major meetings. -you.
Desthieux and Jacquelin thus allow the Blues to register their first two medals of the competition after the failure of the mixed relay on Wednesday (5th).
Ponsiluoma has opened his counter in a masterly way.
Flawless with the rifle (10/10) and very fast on skis as since the start of the season, the Swede was untouchable and won with 12.9 seconds ahead of Jacquelin.
The Norwegian Johannes Boe, double holder of the big crystal globe, had to be satisfied with 5th place, handicapped by his two faults in the shooting lying with his new rifle.
© 2021 AFP