Simon’s 10-for-10 Seals Relay Gold for Dominant French Foursome
France’s Julia Simon’s 10-for-10 day completed a dominating afternoon for the French foursome that went wire-to-wire unchallenged taking the BMW IBU World Championships Women’s Relay Gold medal in 1:07:26.5. Simon and teammates Lou Jeanmonnot, Oceane Michelon, and Justine Braisaz Bouchet needed just four spare rounds to defend their title from Nove Mesto last winter.
“Perfect day…to win the most important relay”
Simon praised her teammates in their first relay victory of the season in the marquee competition of the winter. “They did an incredible job. It was a bit of pressure to start with this great relay from my teammates but I really wanted to stay focused and do the best race possible for the team. They did an amazing job today. It started with Lou; she was incredible. Oceane, for her first relay in the World Championships did a great job. Justine is always so fast. It was just a perfect day for us to win the most important relay of the season.”
“Amazing Last Loop”
With her fourth Gold medal of these Championships in hand, Simon celebrated with a bow after her last loop, followed by a more than enjoyable victory last loop, followed by another bow to the crowd, “That was an amazing last loop. My teammate Jean, all the coaches, wax techs were all there. And this incredible crowd here was just a perfect moment.”
Norway won the Silver medal 1:04.2 back with a penalty and eight spares. Sweden took home the Bronze, 1:44.5 back, matching the Norwegians on the range.
Austria finished in an IBU WCH best-ever fourth, with a penalty and five spares, 1:54.1 back. Germany, with a penalty and ten spares finished fifth, 1:54.4 back. Slovakia, with eleven spares finished sixth, 2:15.9 back.
The 22 teams starting today faced sunny, spring-like day with left to right shooting range wind and soft tracks.
Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus
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