Ostersund Sprint – Emilien Jacquelin and Quentin Fillon Maillet on the podium, beaten by the rocket Sebastian Samuelsson

Two French people on the podium. But none on the highest step. Preceded by Sebastian Samuelsson, Emilien Jacquelin (+18 “) and Quentin Fillon Maillet (+21”) took 2nd and 3rd places in the Östersund sprint on Thursday. The three men each faulted once behind the rifle. But the Swede has shown himself to be untouchable on the track. He set the best ski time, moreover ahead of the two Frenchmen, in the same order, for 20 and 22 seconds. The first tricolor victory of the winter will wait. But we are getting closer.

It was less successful for Simon Desthieux. Carrying the yellow bib for the first time in his career, the Jurassien finished 23rd with an 8 out of 10. He therefore gave up first place overall to Samuelsson, who had already won a victory on Sunday in the first sprint disputed on the Swedish track.

Boe back

This is the third career victory for Samuelsson, one year less three days after unlocking his meter during the pursuit of Kontiolahti. It was already ahead of a Frenchman, Fabien Claude, much further behind this Thursday with three shooting faults (25th to 1’20 “). The Vosges was nevertheless very fast on the skis (6th time), as was Antonin Guigonnat ( 9th lap), which barely catches the top 20 (20th at 1’14 “) thanks to a big last lap.

In the top 10 fastest biathletes, there are four French people. Four arrows who all skied faster than Johannes Boe, author of a very unusual 10th time (43 “from Samuelsson). The Norwegian was not faultless against the targets (9 out of 10). Fifth and third during the first two races of the winter, this time he is content with 9th place, 50 “behind the winner. He will be in the shoes of the hunter during the pursuit which will take place on Sunday, the day after the men’s relay.

For his second start in the World Cup, Eric Perrot, 20, signed an 8/10 and took 46th place (+ 1’54 “). He missed 11” to score his first points. But the Frenchman hung on to qualify for the pursuit, unlike his first attempt last March, already during a sprint in Ostersund (76th).