Of all people, the “enemy” stops the series winner

Justine Braisaz-Bouchet missed her fifth win in a row. This time her biggest rival was better.

06 January 2024

From: dl

Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Julia Simon are the same age and essentially grew up together in biathlon. Since the summer of 2022 – after a credit card dispute – But the two French women no longer have a relationship. According to consistent sources, the two will no longer exchange a word with each other. On Saturday, Braisaz-Bouchet and Simon fought for victory in the final lap - with the second-named team coming out on top.

Simon went into the final lap with a lead of 10 seconds. The reigning overall World Cup winner took her first win of the season with a perfect performance. She started the race from position 10. At the end there was a very brief high five between the two rivals at the finish – without looking each other in the face. But at least they recognize each other's sporting achievements.

Julia Simon took her first win of the season. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

Lisa Vittozzi started the race in seventh place. The Italian could almost have run for third place. But Vittozzi missed the last shot and had to settle for 3th place in the end. Instead, Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold came third with a brilliant final lap. Samuela Comola (8th) and Michela Carrara (17th) also collected some World Cup points.

The relays on Sunday

The only South Tyrolean, Hannah Auchentaller, improved by three places. However, there are no points for 55th place. Rebecca Passler missed qualifying for the pursuit and Dorothea Wierer isn't there at all in Oberhof. The World Cup in the Thuringian Forest will conclude on Sunday with the men's (11.30) and women's (14.25) relays.