Cross-country skiing: Les Bleus win a superb silver medal after a crazy race
Les Bleus will not be going home empty-handed from the world junior and U23 cross-country skiing championships in Schilpario (Italy). On Sunday, Quentin Viguier, Annette Coupat, Romain Vaxelaire and Margot Tirloy won the French team’s first medal in the junior mixed relay, after an intense effort.
Always in position at each of the baton changes, the young Tricolores constantly managed to maintain a small gap to the top 3. Ideally launched by Romain Vaxelaire in contact with Finland, third at the time of the last relay, Margot Tirloy seemed untouchable.
The Haut-Savoyard rider quickly got rid of Selene Rossi to secure the podium. But it seems that La Cluse wasn’t satisfied, as she then caught up with Italy’s Marit Folie, only to drop her in turn in the final hectometres.
This performance enabled the young cross-country skiers to claim a fantastic silver medal behind an impressive Norway led by Filip Skari, Hanna Engesæter Soerbye, Lars Heggen and Johanna Haegg.
Since the introduction of the mixed relay, France had never before managed to win a medal. A performance that could well inspire their U23 compatriots , who take to the track at 12 noon.
Full results
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