We were happy today because there was only one biathlon race on the World Cup schedule. But we quickly lost our good humor, because that was enough for the French men's team to humiliate us according to the rules of the art.
French biathlon commits the irreparable
Only 48 hours after his odious second place on the individual, Émilien Claude was the first French runner on this Ruhpolding track. And there is no denying that the latter is not holding back in making a big impact with a view to a possible starting place in the tricolor relay for the next World Championships. Indeed, Émilien gave a final burst of accelerator on the last lap, and handed over the lead… to his brother. The Claude siblings are definitely not letting go of us.
Fabien also made the difference in the standing shot, and was no less than 31 seconds ahead of Germany, then 37 over Norway, helped by Soerum's two penalty rounds. The Claude brothers are giving other nations nightmares, and it is almost with great relief that we await Quentin Fillon-Maillet's relay. But let our enthusiasm fade quickly, the Frenchman only increases this lead over a new runner-up. Forget Norway, which signs a third penalty round through Tarjei Boe. And hello to Sweden, carried by an immense Martin Ponsiluoma, who takes back no less than twenty seconds from QFM in the last lap alone. A typical TGV.
-Behind, Émilien Jacquelin just has to finish the job against Sebastian Samuelsson. The duel gives us an ounce of hope, seeing the Scandinavian come back on the Frenchman. But Jacquelin kills any notion of suspense, and allows the French men's team to win the relay for the third time in a row, after Kontiolahti and Hochfilzen, which is quite simply a first in its history. Aren't you happy? Historic hat-trick.
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