Simon’s Anchor Leg Secures French Relay Win
Julia Simon took the lead after cleaning her prone stage, anchoring France to victory in the Ruhpolding Women’s 4 X 6 km Relay in 1:08:44.5 this afternoon. The French squad, in the mix all afternoon only moved into the lead when Simon shot fast and clean, skiing away from Sweden’s Elvira Oeberg. Simon and teammates Lou Jeanmonnot, Jeanne Richard and Sophie Chauveau used four spare rounds in their second consecutive relay win of the season, just 72 hours after winning in Oberhof on Sunday afternoon.
Focused on Shooting Range
Last year’s World Cup Total Score winner was thrilled with her team’s performance. “I think we did a really great job. Here in Ruhpolding, the track is really fast and also for the shooting range, do did not want to miss. One extra is okay so we were really focused on this and did a really great job. It was incredible to watch just before my race. I am incredibly happy.”
Richard “feels no pressure”
She praised rookie second-leg Jeanne Richard, in her first-ever World Cup relay. “Jeanne is really strong. She is very happy to be here and she seems like she has been here for many years! She doesn’t feel any pressure; maybe a bit but we don’t see it. It is really nice to have this team and do this great performance!”
Sweden, with three spares finished second for the third time this season, 8.7 seconds back. Home team Germany picked up their second podium of 2023/24 in third place, also with three spares, 46.7 seconds back.
Nineteen teams lined up for this afternoon’s first Ruhpolding competition with-4C, bluebird skies and flat wind flags on the shooter-friendly range. The top ten teams eased through the first prone, with Ukraine’s Iryna Petrenko and Anna Magnusson cleaning standing in five shots for the lead. Marit Skogan picked up two penalties, dropping Norway out of contention.
Magnusson led Jeanmonnot into the first exchange. Lisa Vittozzi controlled the second leg, skiing and shooting quickly, retaining the lead through the second exchange over Switzerland, Ukraine, France, Sweden and Germany.
Preuss Puts Germany on Top
Franziska Preuss led into the third prone, going shot-for-shot with Mona Brorsson, leaving 1-2 with Chauveau next. The duo cleaned standing in five, with Chauveau following. Preuss tagged Kebinger at the final exchange a half-second before Elvira and Simon 6.1 seconds back.
BMW IBU World Cup 5 Ruhpolding Women 4 X 6 km Relay
Simon Enjoys the Victory
Simon closed the gap into prone, cleaning in six shots with Kebinger next: Elvira with two spares, fell 17 seconds back. Simon blew away the standing targets, 13.6 seconds before Elvira and Kebinger, 30 seconds back. Simon skied the last loop powerfully but enjoyed the win waving to the crowd.
Switzerland, with three spare rounds finished fourth for the second time this season, 1:22.3 back. Ukraine with four spares recorded their season-best result in fifth place, 1:36.1 back, 4.6 second ahead of Italy in sixth, with nine spares.
Photos: IBU/ Jaroslav Svoboda, Nordic Focus
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