Like a good thriller that lasts from year to year, the France-Norway match is still relevant. On Saturday, the mixed tricolor relay composed of Quentin Fillon Maillet, Emilien Jacquelin, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Lou Jeanmonnot, held on against the Scandinavian armada to compete for victory until the last shot. A few hours after the miraculous third place obtained by Fabien Claude and Julia Simon in the single mixed relay, France only waited for the second race of the season to win in Ostersund (Sweden) ahead of Norway and Italy.
If the Blues were able to stay in contact with the favorites, it was their female counterparts who tipped the scales in favor of the Tricolores. On her final standing shot, Lou Jeanmonnot, the last French runner, found herself face to face with the Norwegian Ingrid Tandrevold for victory. Despite her young age (25 years old), the latest arrival of the group, who had offered great promise last season, showed that she could be a boss on the shooting range by releasing a superb 10/10 against the targets .
Braisaz-Bouchet, winning motherhood
Opposed to the two Boe brothers to start this race, Quentin Fillon Maillet (2 picks) and Emilien Jacquelin (1 penalty lap on the standing shot) had fallen behind their opponents, passing the baton to Justine Braisaz-Bouchet in 5th position at 55 seconds from the head. But for her return to competition after a blank season due to maternity, the Olympic mass start champion produced a dazzling performance.
Thanks to a flawless performance on the shooting range and a faster glide than all of her opponents, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet managed to pass the last baton to Lou Jeanmonnot in second position just 7 seconds behind the Norwegians. The rest is known and France thus collects its first gold medal of the season. Sunday, it’s time for the men’s and women’s Individuals where the Blues will be keen to shine again.
