It is no longer a novelty, biathlon is very often (too much?) a harbinger of bad news. But for this first career podium for Jeanne Richard, at only 22 years old, we will need time to digest it.
Biathlon still remains incompatible with the FFL
After the slap received against the men's relay, and their third consecutive victory this season, the biathlon had a lot to make up for in this women's mass start. But it is not the first three shots that will restore our confidence in this hated sport of the FFL. Indeed, Jeanne Richard and Lou Jeanmonnot achieved an insolent 15/15, enough to allow them to believe in a possible victory.
Fortunately, we can count on a great ally at the end of the race, in the person of Elvira Oeberg. Indeed, the Swede escapes alone at the head of the race after a thunderous 20/20, and a unique speed on the skis. But two places on the podium remain vacant, and Jeanne Richard also scores a 20/20. While Lou Jeanmonnot goes around the penalty ring twice at the best of times, Richard leaves with Franziska Preuss and Dorothea Wierer. Two places for three biathletes; the three-way match can then begin.
Jeanne Richard will have to be forgiven
In a last breathless lap, it was Preuss who had the last word, followed like her shadow by Jeanne Richard, just in front of the Italian. The 22-year-old Frenchwoman signs the first podium of her career in the World Cup. Words fail us.
-After brilliantly missing the podium at Le Grand Bornand in the finishing straight, Jeanne Richard in turn pays the FFL. The boomerang effect is just terrible.
But that's not all, three French women are present in the top 9, with Océane Michelon in eighth place, and Lou Jeanmonnot in ninth. And how can we end this article without mentioning the two monstrous races of Julia Simon (26th, 7 faults, + 3 minutes) and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (29th, 8 faults, + 5 minutes). We try to only remember the positives from this race, in vain.
