A difficult recovery.
Ten days after the end of a very successful World Championships with 13 medals including six gold, the French biathlon team returned to action this Friday in the World Cup, with the start of the 7th stage in Oslo (Norway).
After a one-day postponement due to bad weather conditions, the women set off for a 15 km individual race with a mediocre result, far from the performances achieved in Nové Mesto (Czech Republic) at the Worlds.
Quadruple gold medalist last month and holder of the big globe, Julia Simon finished outside the top 10, in 16th place with a 16 out of 20 shooting.
“It wasn't a good job today, I didn't make very good shots, but I didn't feel bad either, it's hard for me to explain,” said Julia Simon at the microphone of the l’Équipe channel.
I'm mentally tired.
My head wasn't there 100%, I lacked a little freshness, a little concentration, I'm certainly a little behind compared to the Worlds.
I hope things will be better on the mass start tomorrow.
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Victory and good deal overall for Tandrevold
Her teammate in blue Justine Braisaz-Bouchet was not very successful either even if she did better by finishing 7th.
“Very clearly today it's not enough, it's a mixed race, I struggled on the shooting range to release my balls, to make fluid shots, it was moving a lot and I was on the heels, she explains on the microphone of the Équipe channel.
I could have hoped for better today in the way I shot.
I was too academic, too studious, when at some point you have to go.
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Sophie Chauveau and Lou Jeanmonnot finished 8th and 13th respectively.
The race was dominated by the Norwegian Ingrid Tandrevold, ahead of the Swede Elvira Oeberg and her compatriot Ida Lien.
This allows him to consolidate his position as leader of the World Cup and to score valuable points with a view to obtaining the big globe.
With 809 points, she now has a lead of 84 points over Justine Braisaz-Bouchet (725).
Lisa Vittozzi completes the podium with 721 points.
Julia Simon is in 4th place with 687 points.
See you Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for the mass start.