France’s Julia Simon cleaned her standing quickly to secure victory in the Nove Mesto Women’s 4 X 6 km Relay in 1:11:11.1, giving France a relay sweep following the men's win earlier this afternoon. Simon and teammates Lou Jeanmonnot, Oceane Michelon and Justine Braisaz Bouchet used five spares in their second victory of the season after taking the IBU World Championships title in Lenzerheide. Today’s win gave the French women the World Cup Relay Score Crystal Globe, matching the men’s seasonal win.

“Happy to race here”

Simon enjoyed the win today as much as her Pursuit win yesterday, praising the 20,000+ fans in the stadium and the tracks. “It was an amazing race from the team. I am really happy to win this relay and the overall Relay Globe.”

She saluted the crowd with a wave and thrown kiss after her last standing shot and more waves at the finish. “It is just crazy here. They cheer for everyone; it is the most incredible atmosphere. I am really happy to race here and have good results. I think I am lucky to have such good races here.”

Relay Globe, “Our main goal today”

Third leg Braisaz Bouchet admitted the French goal was to take the World Cup Relay Score. “It was tough because we were second today before the start. It was our main goal this weekend to get the small globe. We did it this year so I am very happy.” Jeanmonnot added, “I am really satisfied. It was the team’s main goal. We spoke about it yesterday night. The small globe missed up last season so today was a big day.”

Behind France, Norway finished second, with eleven spares, 25.1 seconds back. Germany with eight spares finished third, 47.6 seconds back. Switzerland equaled their season best in fourth place, with eight spares, 1:36.3 back. Austria, with a penalty and ten spares finished fifth, 2:29.4 back, 5.5 seconds ahead of sixth place Sweden with two spares and fifteen spares.

Twenty-one women’s relay teams wrapped up the weekend same warm but almost windless conditions. Jeanmonnot led the field out prone after a clean stage, did the same in standing, tagging Michelon 10 seconds before Finland and 16.5 before Czechia.

Like Jeanmonnot, the French second leg cleaned prone and standing with five shots each, putting France at 20-for-20 halfway through the competition and giving Braisaz-Bouchet a 44-second lead, over Austria, Germany and Norway at the exchange. Despite three prone spares and one in standing, Braisaz-Bouchet extended the French lead to 46 seconds over Norway when she tagged Simon.

Simon Celebrates

Simon’s one prone spare set up the victory with Maren Kirkeeide in second 51 seconds back. Yesterday’s Pursuit winner’s standing stage as fast as Fillon Maillet earlier solidifying a French relay sweep today. Simon threw a kiss to the crowd, waved and left for a victory loop, slapping hands, chatting with coaches and finally skiing to a flag-waving finish. Kirkeeide followed in second with Selina Grotian bringing Germany home in third.

Photos: IBU/Igor Stancik, Nordic Focus