Les Mondiaux juniors se sont achevés aujourd'hui en Turquie comme ils avaient commencé avec une totale domination de la Russie.
Que ce soit en sprint, en classique, en skating, au skiathlon ou au relais, les fondeurs Russes étaient les plus forts. Aussi bien lors des épreuves féminines que masculines. Beaucoup, beaucoup de travail se cache derrière cette insolente réussite et les prochaines années devraient permettre à cette génération de surdouées de franchir avec succès le cap supérieur.
Ce matin lors du relais 4*3.3km dames, la Russie a pris les devants de la course dès le second relais avant de filer vers le titre mondial avec 13sec d'avance sur la Suède et la Slovénie qui ont été départagé à la photo finish. La surprise du jour c'est la petite 6e place de la Norvège ! La France se classe 11e sur 12 nations avec Roxane Lacroix, Sigrid Montigny, Julia Devaux et Gaelle Hudry Clergeon.
Elena Serokhvostova, Natalia Zhukova, Nadezhda Shuniaeva et Elena Soboleva remportent la médaille d'or. Les Suédoises Evelina Settlin, Sofia Henriksson, Jonna Sundling et Stina Nilsson remportent l'argent et la Slovénie se pare de bronze gràce à Anja Erzen, Anamarija Lampic, Lea Einfalt et Nika Razinger.
Pas de suspense lors du relais masculin avec les Russes qui ont pris la tête dès le début avant d'augmenter les écarts au fil de ce 4*10km. A l'arrivée c'est un triomphe avec 45sec d'avance sur la surprenante équipe du Kazakhstan et 59sec de marge sur la Norvège.
Artem Maltsev, Ermil Vokuev, Dmitriy Rostovtsev et Sergey Ustiugov sont champions du monde. Les Kazakhs Daulet Rakhimbayev, Sergey Malishev, Nikita Tkachenko et Roman Ragozin sont heureux et argentés alors que la Norvège doit se contenter du bronze avec Sondre Turvoll Fossli, Martin Loewstroem, Haavard Solaas Taugboel et Sindre Bjoernestad Skar.
La France prend une jolie 5e place à 1min31 de la Russie, à 32sec du podium, avec Mathias Dheyriat, Adrien Backscheider, Gerard Agnellet et Clement Parisse.
Les réactions (source FIS) :
Elena Soboleva (SWE) : I am so happy we won the gold medal in the relay. The girls in the first three legs did a great job and I had the competition under control. It feels great to be part of such a great team. These Junior World Championships were perfect for the Russian team.
Stina Nilsson (SWE)
We expected Russia and Slovenia would be teams to beat in today's relay. We were also hoping we could challenge them and we are very happy for the gold medal. It was a tight fight with Nika Razinger of Slovenia until the end. I thought I was more in front and I did not expect Nika was so close. I was not giving everything before the finish line but then, when I saw her I was trying my best for the photo finish.
Nika Razinger (SLO)
It is a great success for the Slovenian team. I was giving everything I had towards the finish line but I was less lucky then Stina Nilsson. However, I am happy for the bronze medal. We have a strong girls in the Slovenian team and it is a great feeling we can compete with the best and fight for medals.
Sergey Ustiugov (RUS)
Relay is always a very special race. The joy from the success is always bigger when you can share with your teammates. I am extremely happy that after the ladies' victory also us claimed the gold medal. Dimtriy (Rostovtsev) did a great job on the third leg and I felt comfortable before my 5 km. For me personally, the fourth gold medal is really special. I never expected I could be so successful. I am leaving home very satisfied.
Nikita Tkachenko (KAZ)
We are very happy for the silver medal. We were waiting a long time for the medal success. All four us were working very hard on each leg today. We all delivered a strong performances. Next time we might be even fighting for the gold medal. We believed we could make it on the podium. All the coaches and service staff were supporting us as well.
Sinder Bjoernestad Skar (NOR)
I did not think I could catch on Sergey (Ustiogov) but of course when I started I went for the silver just like last year when I was chasing gold. I opened up it hard but the anchorman for Kazakhstan was stronger than I thought. I was not able to come closer to him. Racing today was much better than the days before but still it was very tough to compete in such a high altitude. I'm going home now and I hope I will show up at World Cups in Norway.
Le classement du relais féminin ICI
Le classement du relais masculin ICI
