Behind Norway, still untouchable, the French team is doing the job at the start of the Biathlon World Cup season. Sunday December 10, the Blues finished second in the relay in Hochfilzen (Austria), as they did ten days ago during the first relay of the season in Ostersund (Sweden). The podium is the same as in Sweden, since the Germans finished 3rd.
Far from being brilliant during individual events since the start of the season, the French biathletes are finding color during the relays. They were thus leaders of the race at the first handover, following Eric Perrot’s faultless shooting. At 22, the native of Bourg-Saint-Maurice is the fittest Frenchman since the start of the season and his first stint raised the hopes of the French clan.
The Blues were unable to compete with the Boe brothers
This was without counting on the Boe brothers among the Norwegians. Starting in the lead at the start of his relay, Emilien Jacquelin – who experienced a small renaissance at Hochfilzen, including a 6th place during the pursuit on Saturday – was caught and then left behind by Tarjei Boe. Fabien Claude was then unable to do anything against Johannes Boe, four times winner of the general classification of the World Cup.
“Johannes is just stronger. I was OK on the skis, but there is no place where you can compete,” conceded Fabien Claude at the microphone of the L’Equipe channel. During the last relay, Quentin Fillon Maillet had to be content with preserving second French place rather than looking ahead, because the Norwegian Vetle Christiansen achieved a flawless shooting.
After two relays, the Tricolores did as well as last season, when they twice won second place in an event largely dominated by the Norwegians. But the Blues beat the latter by winning the relay at the World Championships in Oberhof (Germany), a feat that will probably be difficult for them to achieve again this season.
