Norway continue relay dominance at Biathlon World Cup in Oberhof, Julia Simon anchors France to women’s race victory

Form was respected as Norway and France claimed men’s and women’s IBU Biathlon World Cup relay wins respectively in Oberhof.

The Norwegian men led from start to finish, taking victory by more than two minutes from home favourites Germany in the 4 x 7.5 kilometre race.

Italy were nearly three minutes down in third, earning the team’s first World Cup podium in three years.

Norway’s quartet of Endre Stromsheim, Sturla Holm Laegreid, Tarjei Boe and Johannes Thingnes Boe was never troubled, missing just seven targets in all to make it three wins from as many men’s relays this season.

And on a day when most teams were challenged by the tricky weather conditions, Norway were able to take advantage of their excellent shooting.

Thingnes Boe said: “In Oberhof before the race you always think about the weather, but when the competition starts, you only feel the energy of the people watching and cheering for us. It’s been three days with very good competition.”

Later in the day, the women’s 4 x 6 km relay was a little more competitive, although the French women came through to take victory ahead of Norway and Sweden.

The French have won the last five women’s World Cup events at individual level and that showed as Lou Jeanmonnot, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Julia Simon – winners of seven World Cup events between them this season – joined Sophie Chauveau to take the win.

They finished 9.3 seconds clear of Norway, with Sweden 33.5 seconds back from the winners, while the rest of the field came in more than three minutes behind.

The World Cup will now stay in Germany as attention shifts to Ruhpolding next week.