Third victory at the start of the season for French biathletes, and first success for Justine Breisaz-Bouchet. The Savoyarde won, Friday December 20, during the sprint event of the 3e stage of the World Cup, which takes place in Grand-Bornand (Haute-Savoie) until Sunday. Before her, Lou Jeanmonnot won the individual event in Kontiolahti (Finland) on December 4, then the pursuit in Hochfilzen (Austria) on December 14.
Long challenged by the German Franziska Preuss, victorious in the sprint during the Hochfilzen stage and author of a flawless shooting, it was ultimately the speed on skis which allowed Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (9 on 10 in shooting) to take the upper hand, with a very small second lead. “ I am very happy with the result and the way”she declared on the microphone of the Team. TV
At 28, she signed the 12e career victory, she who also won gold in the mass start at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2022 and at the World Championships in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic) in 2023. She had already won at Le Grand-Bornand in December 2017 on the mass start, his favorite racing format.
Six French women were in the race: in the starting order Sophie Chauveau, Jeanne Richard, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Julia Simon, Océane Michelon and Lou Jeanmonnot, who was the favorite. If the latter had a good start to the race with a faultless shot in the prone shot, she missed her next pass in the standing shot (2 out of 5), ultimately taking 35e place. Julia Simon for her part finished 7ewith an 8 out of 10 in shooting. Justine Braisaz-Bouchet will start in first place in the pursuit on Saturday at 2:45 p.m.
