Without a solo medal at the Olympics, the biathlete from Les Saisies (25) pulled off the almost perfect race to boost her morale at half mast on her return from China.

Untouchable on skis and author of a single shooting error (9/10), the Frenchwoman went to pick up the 4th victory of her career on the circuit, demonstrating that she remained mobilized despite her Olympic setbacks.

Frenchwoman Julia Simon, at the finish of the sprint event at the Beijing Olympics, on February 11, 2022 at the national biathlon center in Zhangjiakou Jewel SAMAD AFP / Archives

This performance, however, confirms the irregularity of Julia Simon, capable of the best and the worst since her debut at the World Cup in 2017. After having started the 2021-2022 financial year in a catastrophic way, the Savoyard had managed to revive herself during the Grand-Bornand stage in mid-December (2nd in pursuit and mass start).

She had chained four podiums in a row before sinking in Beijing, where she had only won silver in the mixed relay.

A more than mixed record for her first Games as a starter after a first experience as a substitute in Pyeongchang in 2018.

The joy of French biathletes Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet, Emilien Jacquelin, Julia Simon and Quentin Fillon Maillet, silver medalists in the mixed relay, during the official ceremony, February 6, 2022 in Zhangjiakou Tobias SCHWARZ AFP / Archives

The one who started mental work since last year with Marie-Laure Brunet, double medalist at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, to gain "relaxation and serenity" behind the rifle, remains in search of consistency in shooting.

Despite undeniable physical qualities, his only feat of arms remains for the moment the world title of the single mixed relay won in 2021 in Pokljuka (Slovenia) with Antonin Guigonnat.

But when all the planets are aligned like on this sprint, Julia Simon is very hard to find.

The mas start in the viewfinder

"I'm super happy with the way I managed the race, she said. I immediately left at the right pace. When I was told that I was 2 seconds ahead at When the second shot came out, I said to myself that I mustn't get carried away. I'm happy to have regained seconds on the last lap."

"I tend to have trouble in individual races in terms of shooting, so my victory has a good flavor, added Simon, who had never won in a sprint. I'm super satisfied with the job provided today. "It proves that I can win in all formats. The sprint often rewards very complete girls and it gives me great pleasure to be one of these girls. It gives confidence for the future."

The joy of French Julia Simon, winner of the sprint in Otepaa (Estonia), counting for the Biathlon World Cup, March 11, 2022 Taavi Nagel AFP

The rest goes precisely through the quest for the small globe of the mass start.

While there are still two mass start events to be played, Saturday in Otepaa and March 20 in Oslo, Simon is in 3rd place in the specialty classification.

"It's a goal but I don't want to think only of that, she evacuated. It's the best way to crash. You shouldn't put unnecessary pressure on yourself."

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© 2022 AFP