France take third relay win at biathlon worlds, Sweden shock Norway

French biathlete Julia Simon celebrates winning the gold medal after the women's 4 x 6 km relay of the Biathlon World Championships. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa

An unstoppable French team claimed a third relay race win at the biathlon world championships in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.

On Saturday, the French women's team took victory in the 4x6-kilometre race after 1 hour 15 minutes 00.8 seconds and two missed shots, beating Sweden by 38.3 seconds.

Bronze went to Germany, who claimed their third medal in Nove Mesto.

France had previously won the two mixed relays and top the medal table ahead of powerhouses Norway with five golds, one silver and four bronzes.

While the French men are yet to win a world title in an individual event, Julia Simon has already claimed two individual golds for her nation.

Norway have dominated the men's individual races so far and have a total of 11 medals, but only three golds.

In the men's 4x7.5-km relay on Saturday, Norwegian superstar Johannes Thingnes Bø looked set to secure a record-equalling 20th gold medal at world championships.

But Norway's Ole Einar Bjørndalen holds the record for at least another day after Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen's nerves failed him with three penalties in the final visit to the shooting range.

Norway had appeared poised for victory before that point but rivals Sween instead took gold. Bronze went to France.

The world championships conclude on Saturday with a women's mass start over 12.5km and a men's 15km mass start.

French relay team celebrate with their gold medal after the women's 4 x 6 km relay of the Biathlon World Championships. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
(L-R) German biathletes Janina Hettich-Walz, Selina Grotian, Vanessa Voigt and Sophia Schneider celebrate with their bronze medal after the women's 4 x 6 km relay of the Biathlon World Championships. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa

© Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH