When the pressure was on in the final standing stage of this afternoon’s Nove Mesto na Morave Men’s 4 X 7.5 km Relay, France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet delivered a clutch performance of five blindingly fast shots, sealing victory in 1:16:24.3. Fillon Maillet’s brilliant last stage came as he shot side-by-side with Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe, who faltered with shaking legs, ending up with a penalty, setting for second place, 1:26.6 back. France’s win gave them a sweep of the World Cup Relays this season and the World Cup Relay Score title. Their only blemish was a loss to Norway at the IBU World Championships.

“Great day for the French team”

Fillon Maillet knew the pressure was on, battling against JT in the final relay of the five-time World Cup Total Score titlist’s career. “It was a special task, battling with Johannes. We skied together in the two first loops: clean shooting in the prone. I knew the hard fight would be on the standing. I attacked this shooting, going with Johannes. This is a great day for the French team because we win the overall of the Relay with five wins and one second, It is just amazing. Thank you to all my teammates, all the waxmen, coaches, physio. It was an amazing season-ending relay.”

“Lot of pressure”

Summing up, “My teammates did a great job. They put me in a lot of pressure, fighting for the lead with Johannes. This is a good day!”

France used just four spares in the win, with Norway picking up a penalty and eight spares. Ukraine, with seven spares finished in a season-best third place, 2:45.4 back, their first relay podium in five years, also at Nove Mesto.

Germany with four penalties and ten spares finished fourth, 2:57.1 back. Austria with ten spares finished fifth, 4:07.2 back while Italy with five penalties and eleven spares finished sixth, 4:28.8 back.

The closing day of competition in Nove Mesto was another short-sleeve, 16 degree, but windy day for the 19 teams at the start.

Photos: IBU/Igor Stancik, Nordic Focus