Biathlon: the French team wins the mixed relay in Pokljuka

Europe 1 with AFP 4:28 p.m., January 8, 2023

France won Sunday in the mixed relay at the Biathlon World Cup event in Pokljuka in Slovenia.

The French relay composed of Fabien Claude, Quentin Fillon Maillet, Anais Chevalier-Bouchet, Julia Simon beat Italy (2nd) and Sweden (3rd).

In the absence of the brothers Johannes and Tarjei Boe and Sturla Laegreid on the Norwegian side, France was able to seize its chance to win this first mixed relay of the season, a good omen one month before the Biathlon Worlds.

Norway off the podium

Perfectly launched by Fabien Claude, the French relay gave way to the Norwegians after a complicated lying shot from Quentin Fillon Maillet, which forced him to take a penalty lap.

But the Norwegian Johannes Dale missed the target three times during the standing shot allowing the Italian Tommaso Giacomel to pass in front, followed by Fillon Maillet (2nd).

France regained the lead thanks to the very good passage of Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet imperial on skis and when shooting standing.

She put Julia Simon in the best conditions, passing her the baton with a lead of more than 30 seconds.

>> Find Europe 1 Sport in podcast and replay here 

Julia Simon, currently leading the individual World Cup thanks to her seven podiums since the start of the season, has confirmed her very good form.

The Frenchwoman made a perfect lying shot, then after a pickaxe during the standing shot, she managed to keep the Italian Lisa Vittozzi at bay.

Simon, third in pursuit on Saturday in Pokljuka, crossed the line almost 25 seconds ahead of Vittozzi and 47 over Sweden's Elvira Öberg.

France won Olympic gold in the mixed relay at the 2018 Games before taking the silver medal behind Norway at the 2022 Olympics. The mixed relay was introduced at the 2014 Olympics.