Emilien Jacquelin suffers bizarre disqualification in single mixed relay - 'Disaster for France'

React to this story

Norway finished ahead of Sweden and Finland to win the single mixed relay second run in adverse conditions in Otepaa. But all eyes were on France and Emilien Jacquelin, who was left to rue a mistake under pressure as he was disqualified from the race. France had led the overall standings, but have now been leapfrogged by Norway after Jacquelin's error.

'Disaster' for France as Jacquelin suffers disqualification after 'rare occurrence'

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was a day to forget for Emilien Jacquelin, whose mistake saw France's single mixed relay in Otepaa end prematurely in the most unusual circumstances.

The French looked to be in good shape heading into the shooting stage after a strong start from Camille Bened, but it all went wrong for the 30-year-old.

Fresh off a gold medal in relay at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, confidence would have been expected to be high for Jacquelin.

Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026

Retiring biathlon greats Wierer and Preuss share emotional lap of honour after final Olympic race

21/02/2026 at 18:35

But he faltered dramatically in heavy winds at the Estonian ski resort, repeatedly missing his shots in an attempt to quickly move on.

"He's missed three - three penalty loops for Jacquelin, and we've never seen anything quite like this!" said TNT Sports commentator Patrick Winterton.

"I think there'll be a lot of wind training over the summer to prepare for next year's World Championships."

Highlights: Laegreid secures 12.5km pursuit victory in Otepaa

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jacquelin was in such a rush that he accidentally used a fourth spare round, beyond the limit of three.

"I think, I'm not 100%, I think he dipped in for a fourth spare round subconsciously," said fellow commentator Mike Dixon. "It wouldn't have been conscious.

"I'm quite sure he picked up a fourth spare round and that's really bad news for the French team. I see there's an asterisk added at the side of his name. That is bad news."

Winterton added: "Well it's really good news for Norway and Italy, who will suddenly leap into contention for the mixed relay trophy if France fail to pick up any points in this event."

"It's such a rare occurrence, an extra spare round. You use your three, he picked up another. I can't remember whether it's a two-minute penalty or a disqualification, which would be a nightmare for the French team," said Dixon.

"He still did three penalty loops, so it's been a bad day for Jacquelin. You could sort of understand it - there was panic going on in the range area.

"That is a disaster for the French."

Norway's Karoline Knotten and Sturla Laegreid benefitted from France's calamitous race, handling the conditions best to take the lead in the overall mixed relay standings.

They moved 35 points ahead of France and 54 ahead of Sweden, who finished second in Otepaa, with Finland in third.

Watch the best sporting action live and on-demand via discovery+

Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026

‘Worst I ever had’ - Why Swedish skiers blame this for their bad biathlon performances

21/02/2026 at 15:01