It's never been done before. The Biathlon World Championships race has gone down in history. Video

The French women's biathlon team won the relay for the first time in history at the World Championships, which are currently taking place in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. Lou Jeanmonnot, Sophie Chauvet, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, and Julie Simon finished first with a time of 1.15.00.8 (2+11).

The French team's antiheroine was Chauvet, who failed to close five targets with 8 shots on the bed and earned a 150-meter penalty. The same thing happened at the second firing line, leaving France in eighth place at the relay's equator, 43 seconds behind the leaders.

However, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet was able to lift the team to the top, and Simon cemented its success. The failure of the main competitors, the Norwegians, also played in the French women's favor. The latter ran 8 additional penalty laps during the relay and finished in the top ten.

"I was very nervous when I looked at the track. Lou Jeanmonnot started the race very well, and Sophie Chauvet made me worry. I thought: "Damn, it's over for us". But Justine Braisaz-Bouchet did something special, it was so cool to watch. It was my turn, and I was very nervous. Elvira (Oberg) is very strong, so I struggled. The last stand was hard because of the strong wind.It was a really good battle!" commented Simon, who was the finisher.

This victory strengthened France's first place (6791) in the overall standings of the Biathlon Nations Cup among women. Sweden is in second place (6402), and Norway (6381) rounds out the top three. Ukraine is 9th (4940).