Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, winner of the Individual in Anterselva, and her runner-up Julia Simon were full of confidence on Friday in the Biathlon World Cup two weeks before the start of the Beijing Olympics (February 4-20). several cadors of the circuit (the leader of the general classification, the Norwegian Marte Olsbu Roeiseland, or the Swedish sisters Elvira and Hanna Oeberg) skipped this last weekend of competition before the Olympics, this French double shows once again the strong potential for Les Bleues medals as the departure for China is fast approaching.
For Braisaz-Bouchet, the success acquired on the Italian track put an end to a long cycle of results. The biathlete from Les Saisies (25) had not won for more than two years (the Individual of Ostersund in Sweden, December 5, 2019) and she had the good idea not to stretch this interminable period even more. of scarcity. We knew the Frenchwoman was very fast on skis but this time she was able to remain calm and composed on the shooting range (19/20) to dominate her rivals and afford the 3rd victory of her career. With Braisaz-Bouchet, the balance is always very fragile and nothing says that it will not fall back into its faults during the big Olympic meeting. But she claims to be "
on the right track
", especially with a rifle.
I struggled with the conditions and emotions of the day.
Justine Braisaz-Bouchet
"
It's a huge joy
," she said.
The idea was to smooth the effort, to be present only on the mat and to keep a maximum of lucidity on the shooting range.
I struggled with the conditions and emotions of the day.
The Individual is a race that suits me.
I'm more focused on what I'm doing, what I don't have the luxury of living in head-to-head races where everything goes very fast and where you're in contact with the opponent.
You had to be patient.
I felt capable of winning this race and it gave me the energy to be focused today
”.
Julia Simon revived
Julia Simon confirms for her part her current good dispositions. After a catastrophic start, the Frenchwoman, also from the resort of Les Saisies (25 years old), recovered well from the Grand-Bornand stage in mid-December and recorded her fourth podium of the season despite two errors. at the rifle. “
I am satisfied even if there is a small disappointment
, she explained.
I thought it was good but I came across stronger than me. But I'm getting more and more regular so it's cool. I am getting better and better at shooting and becoming a biathlete, not a clay pigeon shooter. All the work done over the past two years is beginning to bear fruit.
There is still a relay on Saturday then a mass start on Sunday to keep this great French momentum before switching to the Olympics.
