A capital performance. Expected as an outsider in the mass start event, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet defied the odds to claim the supreme title.
After the first shot, however, the French seemed far away. The Norwegians Eckhoff and Roeiseland dominated the debates and the French Julia Simon and Anaïs Bescond seemed in a better position to play the leading roles.
Coming out of the second shot, Julia Simon could even have high hopes for a medal. The silver medalist in the relay came out in third position, 33 seconds behind the Norwegian duo. But on skis Justine Braisaz-Bouchet quietly began her effort to move up to 10th place before appearing for the third time on the shooting range.
The third shot as a turning point
It was on this third shot, the first standing, that the race was reversed. Eckhoff and Roeiseland are struggling to tame the wind and suffer two penalty laps, and Julia Simon draws even more with three penalty laps. So Justine Braisaz-Bouchet does not need to be prayed for. The Frenchwoman refuels and emerges in the lead ahead of the Norwegians.
Galvanized, the native of Albertville remains solid on skis and increases her lead to 15 seconds. But it was still necessary to ensure on the last shot. Despite the pressure, Braisaz-Bouchet did not tremble and received only one lap penalty. Behind none of her competitors manages to do a flawless: the French therefore has plenty of time to fly on the roof of Olympus.
At 25, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet won a second Olympic medal after the bronze obtained in the relay in Pyeongchang. It also brings a fifth gold medal to France, the 14th of these Olympiads.