Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet (28 years old), author of a 19/20 shooting, integrates for the second time of the season the Top 3, while the last podium on the individual level of Anaïs Bescond (34 years old), perfect behind the rifle (20/20), dated back to March 5, 2020.

“This podium represents a lot, two years without a podium is an eternity for an athlete, said Bescond, three-time Olympic medalist and senior member of the France group. I am super satisfied, there were a lot of good things today. never gave up and I trained with a lot of rigor and heart to the work this year. "

"It's going pretty well for me at the moment, reacted Chevalier-Bouchet. Physically, I'm not yet at the max, I'm still missing me on the last laps but today I went to the attack, I wanted to play and win. I put a little in the first laps and maybe I lost a little energy in the last laps. The goal for me is to put the balls because if I put the balls, I know I can play podiums. "

The good results of this start of the season (2 podiums in 4 races), however, have not changed the approach of the Frenchwoman, who is not yet thinking of the general classification but remains focused on the Beijing Olympic Games (4-20 February).

"When I came back from maternity (last year, editor's note), my goal was the Games. But to be able to play in front of the Olympics, you have to do it at the start of the season. For now, I'm happy to what I do. I am in the nails and I expected no less from me ".

This tricolor double on the podium is also timely for the Blue, on the eve of the relay.

On the other hand, the two Frenchwomen could not do anything against Marte-Olsbu Roeiseland during this first race in direct confrontation.

The Norwegian, despite a shooting error, was much stronger on the skis on the last lap to sign the 10th success of her career on the circuit.

Austrian Lisa-Theresa Hauser (4th), victorious in the sprint on Thursday, led almost from start to finish thanks to her rifle accuracy (20/20) before being devoured on the track by Roeiseland and the duo French.

It nevertheless retains the lead in the general classification of the World Cup.

© 2021 AFP