2023-12-10 17:56:10
Despite being off to a poor start until halfway through, the French women managed to grab third place during the Hochfilzen relay this Sunday in Austria. Thanks to an excellent finish from Julia Simon, the Blues were only beaten by Norway, who had already won the men’s relay a few hours earlier, and Sweden. This is their first collective podium of the winter.
For her first relay in the World Cup, Gilonne Guigonnat, responsible for launching the French team, remained in contact. But even if she only conceded two picks, she gave up a little time on skiing, handing over to Lou Jeanmonnot in seventh position. The current leader of the World Cup, driving force of the Blues since the start of the season, was in a bad day: faulted on shooting, she was forced to go through the penalty ring, losing a lot of ground.
The rise of Braisaz-Bouchet
The bosses then had to do the work. Starting eighth, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, in great shape on the skis, only lost once and swallowed up a good part of the peloton, to pass the baton to Julia Simon in fourth place. Thanks to a very rapid shot, the winner of the 2023 crystal globe passed her Italian rival without problem, but was too far away to get a second place.
Earlier in the afternoon, the men’s relay also managed to secure the podium on the same track, finishing in second place. The Blues will not compete in a relay on the Lenzerheide (Switzerland) round, since there will only be individual events on the program.
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