The Czech Marketa Davidova won this Saturday the individual (15 km) of Ostersund (Sweden), at the opening of the Biathlon World Cup, while the French women completely missed it.
Davidova, reigning world champion in the specialty and author of a perfect shooting, scored the third victory of her career, beating the Austrian Lisa-Theresa Hauser and the German Denise Herrmann, at the end of 'a first race marked by the failure of the main favorites.
The Norwegian Tiril Eckhoff, the champion of the big crystal globe, took only 30th place committing five rifle errors, her runner-up and compatriot Marte-Olsbu Roeiseland finishing 10th with 3 faults.
The Bleues, handicapped by their chronic ineffectiveness in shooting, have experienced a real ordeal and have started this Olympic season very badly.
The first French representative, Anaïs Bescond, only ranked 28th (4 faults).
Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet, n ° 1 tricolor in 2020-2021, is even further (52nd, 5 faults).
Justine Braisaz-Bouchet is 38th, Chloé Chevalier 48th, and Julia Simon 72nd.
"This does not call into question everything we have worked so far"
“I passed by, regrets Julia Simon.
We will have to restart tomorrow (in the sprint event).
I felt ready but on the first launch pad, I made mistakes.
I thought about it.
I asked myself questions about my form, about my feelings.
In my skiing time, I am far from the best.
I didn't feel very well.
I need races and start with the individual pursuit which is a long event, maybe not the best thing.
But that does not call into question everything that we have worked so far.
I will try to show the jersey tomorrow.
"
Justine Braisaz-Bouchet also hopes to recover from the sprint event.
“I struggled to find the right release on the shots,” she says.
In training, I have the same difficulties.
But I have no doubt that I will find the solutions quickly.
"