Allez les Bleus sang the French fans at the Biathlon World Cup in Östersund, Sweden, in the Jämtland Arena, and celebrated the 4 X 6 km relay victory of their women exuberantly. The French women's quartet was too strong for the rest of the competition and won in the line-up of Anais Bescond, Anais Chevalier, Julia Simon, who showed an upward form, and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet. Second went to the resurgent Olympic relay champions from Belarus with a good performance as well.
A fierce Scandinavian duel for third place took place in the final sprint between Hanna Oeberg from Sweden and Marte Olsbu Roiseland from Norway, which the Swedish team narrowly won. For the DSV girls, where the debutant and start skier Vanessa Voigt confirmed her strong form, it was only enough for fifth place as in the individual races before. With this finish, the experts were only partially right.
Results 4 X 6 Km Women's Sprint Östersund:
1. Frankreich 1.10.30,03 Std.
2. Belarus + 57,9 Sek.
3. Schweden + 1.09,6 Min.
4. Norwegen + 1.09,8 Min.
5. Deutschland + 1.26,8 Min.
Statement Julia Simon: "That was an absolute brilliant performance of our team, it was not to be expected that we would determine the race so."
Statement Justine Braisaz: "I had got a comfortable lead from Julia on the last lap and actually only had to shoot concentrated.
I don't think I've ever shot so quickly and confidently in my standing shooting, and when you hit everything.... Top."
Statement Marte Olsbu: “Ich habe wieder alles gegeben, dass es dann zum Schluß nur zu Platz vier gereicht hat tut mir sehr leid. Es war sehr knapp, so ist Biathlon.”
Photo:K.Voigt Photography