Damien Levet and Gillone Guigonnat, both of France won in the Sprint at the IBU Open European Championships in Sjusjoen. For both it was the first individual gold medal at the IBU Open European Championships.

Levet out-skis the filed

Firing on all cylinders from the start and drawing confidence from his first IBU Cup victory in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna earlier this season, Levet clocked the fastest first and second laps while clearing all 10 targets. Although he was 12.1 seconds slower on the shooting range than his closest challenger, Isak Leknes Frey, Levet was the fastest on the skis, 22.2 seconds quicker than Frey, who also shot 10/10. Levet won in 25:02.1. Frey earned his second silver medal at these Open European Championships, finishing 9.7 seconds behind. Levet’s teammate Gaetan Paturel, also with 10/10, claimed the bronze medal, 13.4 seconds back.

Guigonnat wins an all-French battle

Starting with bib 58, Guigonnat clocked the third-fastest time after the first shooting, took the lead after the second, and powered home with the fastest final lap to win in 21:50.1. Like Guigonnat, Celia Henaff cleared all 10 targets and claimed the silver medal, finishing 14.1 seconds behind the winner. Sophie Chauveau completed the all-French podium; despite one miss, she posted the fastest course time and secured bronze, 16.0 seconds behind Guigonnat.

Photo: M. Nordnes: IBU Photo Pool