World Biathlon World: the “talent” of Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, in gold and at the time of the big meetings

Initials JBB. Like last year, it is the winter tube at the Biathlon World Cups in the Swiss station of Lenzerheide. Justine BraisAz-Bouchet won the title of world champion of sprint after a second part of oppressive race. Despite a failure to lying down (9/10), its end of the course, a magic glide carried by the flight of the doubts sticking to its skis for weeks, deposited it on the highest step of the podium.

“Until the last bump, I didn’t believe it. It was in the last descent that I told myself that it would be a beautiful day, smiled JBB. I know how much the shot put me in difficulty and every time I score roughly on the pitch, I know that I can play among the best of the day. »»

We expected other French women. The young and brilliant Lou Jeanmonnot (2 failures) finished 6th. Or the title holder, Julia Simon, who did not, this time, drawn the right card (2 faults also), with a migraine and a 7th place. To put blue in a covered sky, come back to Justine on D-Day. However, she did not have the biggest rating with an irregular season, between a success in the Mass Start in the Grand-Bornand, but also air holes As in Kontiolahti (Finland) or Ruhpolding (Germany).

Under the eyes of her husband and her little daughter

But under the eyes of her husband and her little daughter Côme, two, who came from France to encourage her, “JBB” proved that her talent was intact. At the same time, the place brings him happiness. The biathlete of the seizures particularly appreciates the Lenzerheide station, since it was, in December 2023, a rare triple Sprint – Pursuit – Mass Start over a weekend, for the first stage of the World Cup in Graubünden.

“I was particularly moved today, certainly because in recent days, in recent weeks, a lot has happened in my head, savored the world champion. Given my condition, honestly I did not think of doing such a good skiing time. It’s my best skiing time since the start of the season. »»

At 28, Braisaz-Bouchet does not win all the time but she wins the victories that count. 10 success in the World Cup but above all an Olympic coronation, in Mass-Start, at the Beijing Olympics in 2022, and two world gold since last year, it had already been sacred in the same discipline of the Mass-Start.

And now the pursuit Sunday

Former biathlete Alexis Beef, now a commentator for the team, does not know if he has to be surprised or not from this world coronation, whom little had seen coming. “I am surprised without being,” he smiles. Justine has such a talent that it was indeed the right person to take out such a race, while her last results were disappointing. It has a natural talent, whether in shooting or on sliding. Sometimes she focuses on details while with her class, she shouldn’t. She is really a very big champion and everyone is happy for her. »»

Not to mention that after the tricolor coronation in mixed relay the day before, these Worlds begin as a French championship. “Let’s say they were the two races where we had the biggest title hopes, lays Alexis Beef. On the men’s sprint this Saturday, one can imagine that the Norwegians will be very strong. But the confidence garnered can do good. »»

Especially in female pursuit, this Sunday, which takes into account the results of the Friday sprint. With Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Lou Jeanmonnot and Julia Simon in the first seven at the start, we may not have finished finding gold in Switzerland.