Simon Desthieux (right), France’s third skier, taps his team’s anchor, Martin Fourcade, during the IBU Biathlon World Cup men’s 7.5 km relay competition, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang, on March 5.
“We wanted to set a good record on these tracks, and tried to do our best for next year’s Olympics,” said Simon Fourcade from France, winner of the IBU Biathlon World Cup men’s 7.5 km relay, held at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang on March 5.
The French athletes were all smiles during the press conference that followed the medal ceremony. “We were able to get useful information about the biathlon stadium during the competition,” said Fourcade when asked about the grounds for next year’s PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Martin Fourcade, the French team’s anchor in the men’s 7.5 km relay, raises his arms in victory as he crosses the finish line, in the IBU Biathlon World Cup at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang on March 5.
Accuracy on the shooting range led France’s victory in the men’s relay.
Early in the race, it was impossible to determine who would win. Norway led the scoreboard in the initial laps, with their second skier was leading the race. Even after handing over the baton to its third skier, Norway was ahead of France by 0.1 seconds. However, a series of missed targets on the shooting range flipped the rankings to the advantage of France.
France’s Simon Desthieux, the third skier, and Martin Fourcade, the anchor, snatched the golden opportunity. Martin Fourcade, this season’s champion, picked up his pace and sped toward the finish line, 33.8 seconds ahead of Austria. France finished the competition in 1 hour 12 minutes and 9.5 seconds.
In second place, Austria finished in 1 hour, 12 minutes and 43.3 seconds. Norway finished third in 1 hour, 12 minutes and 54.9 seconds.
Jun Je-Uk, the Korean team’s anchor, shows his disappointment as he crosses the finish line in the IBU Biathlon World Cup men’s 7.5 km relay, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang on March 5.
The Korean team, represented by Kim Jongmin, Timofey Lapshin, Kim Yonggyu and Jun Je-Uk, finished the competition in 1 hour, 19 minutes and 29.5 seconds, in 20th place.
“We weren’t able to set our best record in this competition, but it means a lot that we competed at the international level, among the world’s best athletes. We will work hard to improve our score for next year’s PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics,” said Jun Je-Uk, the team’s anchor.
By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Jeon Han, Korea.net Photographer
hlee10@korea.kr
An athlete speeds his way uphill in the IBU Biathlon World Cup men’s 7.5 km relay, held at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang on March 5.
Athletes take aim with their rifles in the shooting range, part of the IBU Biathlon World Cup men’s 7.5 km relay, held at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang on March 5.
Team France (center) with the gold, Team Austria (left) with the silver and Team Norway with the bronze pose for a group photo in the IBU Biathlon World Cup men’s 7.5 km relay medal ceremony, at the Alpensia Biathlon Center in Pyeongchang on March 5.
