Biathlon: Braisaz-Bouchet triumphs in pursuit ahead of Simon

Olympic champion in the mass start in Zhangjiakou (China) in 2022, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet achieves the double in the Graubünden resort two days after winning the sprint (7.5 km), while Julia Simon, winner of the Coupe du world last season, signs his first individual podium of winter 2023/24. “It’s something to do this double. I think I was the least experienced on the chase. Despite everything, I had a joy and serenity to take the lead. There are things that are falling into place,” commented Braisaz-Bouchet on the L’Equipe channel after the race.

This is the fourth French victory of the winter in seven individual races, after Lou Jeanmonnot's sprint/pursuit double at the season opener in Östersund (Sweden) at the beginning of December. The two French women, clean on a complicated shooting range to master with an 18/20 for Julia Simon and 17/20 for Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, beat the Norwegian Marit Ishol Skogan.

Fourth in the sprint, around forty seconds behind her compatriot, Julia Simon set off on the final 2 km loop in cross-country skiing seven seconds behind Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, a gap she was unable to overcome. fill in on one of the best biathletes on skis. The two French women, opposed on the legal ground after the filing in July of two complaints against Julia Simon, one of which by Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, for bank card fraud, congratulated each other after the race by hitting their fists.

In the high altitude resort (1,500 m) which will host the World Championships in February 2025, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet will have the opportunity to achieve a very rare individual hat-trick over a weekend with the mass start, her favorite race scheduled for Sunday (12:30 p.m.).

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