France’s Julia Simon cleaned her standing quickly to secure victory in the Nove Mesto Women’s 4 X 6 km Relay in 1:11:11.1, giving France a relay sweep after the men won earlier this afternoon. Simon and teammates Lou Jeanmonnot, Oceane Michelon and Justine Braisaz Bouchet used five spares in their second victory of the season, after taking the IBU World Championships title in Lenzerheide. Today’s win gave the French women the World Cup Relay Score Crystal Globe, matching the men’s seasonal win.

“Happy to race here”

Simon enjoyed the win today as much as her Pursuit win yesterday, praising the 20,000+ fans in the stadium and the tracks. “It was an amazing race from the team. I am really happy to win this relay and the overall Relay Globe.”

She saluted the crowd with a wave and thrown kiss after her last standing shot and more waves at the finish. “It is just crazy here. They cheer for everyone; it is the most incredible atmosphere. I am really happy to race here and have good results. I think I am lucky to have such good races here.”

Behind France, Norway finished second, with eleven spares, 25.1 seconds back. Germany with eight spares finished third, 47.6 seconds back.

Switzerland equaled their season best in fourth place, with eight spares, 1:36.3 back. Austria, with a penalty and ten spares finished fifth, 2:29.4 back, 5.5 seconds ahead of sixth place Sweden with two spares and fifteen spares. Twenty-one women’s relay teams wrapped up the weekend under the same warm but almost windless conditions as the men earlier.

Photos: IBU/Igor Stancik, Nordic Focus