The French men's biathlon team has asserted its dominance once again, clinching their fourth consecutive victory at the Antholz-Anterselva World Cup relay on January 25, 2025. This win marks yet another milestone for the team, who have yet to be defeated this season.
The French squad, comprising Fabien Claude, Quentin Fillon Maillet, Éric Perrot, and Émilien Jacquelin, delivered an outstanding performance on the Italian snow, showcasing exceptional skiing and shooting skills. They finished with an impressive time of 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 33.6 seconds, leaving Norway and Sweden trailing behind by substantial margins of 43.6 and 44 seconds respectively.
Starting strong, Fabien Claude managed to remain competitive, finishing his leg just 8.5 seconds behind the Norwegian leader, Sturla Laegreid. The baton was passed to Quentin Fillon Maillet who quickly closed the gap, overtaking both Laegreid and Ukrainian competitor Tarjei Boe before settling comfortably at the front. His flawless shooting ensured he built on the lead, extending it to 41.9 seconds by the end of his leg.
Éric Perrot maintained the momentum, achieving stellar accuracy with 10 hits out of 10 shots, pushing the lead even greater. Soon, he handed off the baton to Jacquelin, who had nearly a minute advantage over his closest competitor when he began his final stretch.
Despite having to handle one penalty shot and experiencing a brief tumble just before his last shooting round, Jacquelin eased his way through the final leg, crossing the finish line with ample time to spare. This victory marks France's consistent performance throughout the season; they have not dropped a single relay this year, making history with four wins out of four races so far.
"It's impressive; even I am amazed at our team’s performance because we are executing great biathlon, and when combined four times, it culminates in fantastic relays," remarked Éric Perrot, highlighting the unshakeable confidence within the team.
The race also showcased the transition phase of their chief rivals, Norway, who failed to win any relays this season. With this kind of performance, France is well-poised not only for the remainder of the World Cup season but also as they prepare for the World Championships set to take place soon.
With only weeks left until the World Championships, France has solidified its position at the top of the relay rankings, 65 points clear of the nearest competition. Their current form suggests they are not merely competitors; they are serious contenders for gold. The team's strategy and execution appear finely tuned, something sure to create excitement as they look forwards to the championships and the upcoming Winter Olympics.