Eventually, this will become a habit... Ideally placed after their historic sprint raid on Friday (in the first four places), the Blues finished their Worlds in apotheosis in Nove Mesto with gold and bronze.
And like two days earlier, it was Julia Simon who dominated the race in the Czech Republic to retain her world title.
Starting in first position (the biathletes start the pursuit with a time credit in the order of the sprint classification), the Tricolore just let her compatriot Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (starting 5 seconds behind her) race in the lead a few hectometers before the first standing shot.
Thanks to a quick and perfect five out of five in heavy rain, the Savoyard definitely made the difference over the Olympic mass start champion, condemned to go around the penalty ring twice while watching her teammate fly away towards a 5th world crown.
𝑬𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒖𝒔 𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒆!
🇫🇷
Julia Simon is World Pursuit Champion in Nové Město!
😍🥇
Untouchable, she keeps her title and achieves the double!
🔥
Justine Braisaz Bouchet takes the bronze medal!
🥉
📸Nordic Focus pic.twitter.com/PcJ7f6wpJI
— FFS - French Ski Federation (@FedFranceSki) February 11, 2024
After a new demonstration at the last standing shot, Julia Simon could already smile, savor her triumph and greet the staff throughout the last part of the route while behind her the war raged for the podium.
The Italian Vitozzi managed to take second place ahead of Justine Braisaz-Bouchet.
As in the sprint, Sophie Chauveau had to settle for fourth place.
With three gold medals (mixed relay, sprint, pursuit), Julia Simon is the queen of these Worlds.
At the end of the afternoon, the boys, behind during the sprint, will try to create the feat against the Norwegian armada.