Biathlon | Emilien Claude talks about his excellent January and his role as a substitute at the World Championships: “I suddenly ran up several steps”

Biathlon: Emilien Claude talks to Nordic Magazine

Over the last few weeks, Emilien Claude from the Vosges has made his mark on the biathlon world cup scene. He scored his best career result in Oberhof (Germany), and then climbed onto the podium in the individual event in Ruhpolding (Germany)… where he also won the relay.

These results have enabled to secure his ticket for the World Championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland) as fifth man and first reserve. As he prepares at Prémanon (Jura) before taking part this weekend in the French Cup at La Féclaz (Savoie), Emilien Claude talks to Nordic Magazine. Interview.

• In January, you achieved unprecedented performances with an individual World Cup podium and a relay victory. Looking back, how do you feel about that?

Everything went very quickly. The first week in Oberhof freed me up quite a bit. I carried on with what I’d done well in December and at the same time sorted out my rifle problem. Obviously, that reassured me that it was only a matter of time. Then in Ruhpolding, I wanted to do well in the individual event. I knew that the week could come to an end very quickly and that I’d have to score 19 or 20/20 to be eligible for the mass-start on Sunday.

In the end, I found myself running all the races, doing my first podium, my first relay and my first relay win. It was an exceptional week. Despite the fatigue and mental wear and tear, I’m also pleased to have been able to finish January in good shape on the skis in Antholz. This month bodes well for the future!

• Is this podium finish in the individual event at Ruhpolding (Germany) a big step forward for you in your career?

Yes, it’s a big step. It took me years to climb the last few steps, to climb one and then come down two. Then, in January 2025, I suddenly ran up several steps. It happened really quickly, but that’s not really surprising either. My skiing times were good and I knew that all it took was one race where everything came together to get a good result. I thought I’d start with a flower ceremony and then immediately climb onto the second step. But that’s the beauty of biathlon!

• A few days later, you won the relay, notably with your older brother Fabien Claude…

It was obviously a special moment. I was a lot more stressed than usual on the morning of the relay, even though I was fine. I was keen to finally do this first World Cup relay and to hand over to Fabien [Claude] in a good position so that we could then at least finish on the podium. It was great to get the team off to a good start and to see that things went our way at the end of the race and that we won. What’s more, it was historic because it was the third time in a row that the French team had won. It was a great experience!

• To come back one last time to the problem you had with your rifle (a screw that was too long in the barrel), which has now been solved, can you tell us if this problem could have been solved earlier in the season?

I don’t really know the answer to that question and, as I said to my mum recently, I don’t really care now that it’s been sorted out. I changed my entire barrel and breech system in September. The screws came from the factory and I think the problem dates from then. I had problems with the cylinder head at the start and maybe that was also due to the problem with the screws… In training, things weren’t as bad as they seemed and I was able to group quite well. I have the impression that things got worse as the months went by. After Le Grand-Bornand, it became unstoppable and I couldn’t shoot without missing. I don’t know why it got worse.

• You’ve been selected for your first world championships as a substitute. Are you happy or frustrated that you probably won’t be able to race in Lenzerheide (Switzerland)?

For three years I’d been seventh in France, I’d stayed in the IBU Cup and I would have liked to have had this place as a substitute at the Worlds. This year, I’m fifth and the first substitute, so I’ll have a real role. I’ll have to be ready and prepare as if I were going to race. I’ll take it! The four in front are really in front and logic is respected. If I’m needed, I’ll be ready! Not so long ago, I wasn’t on the brink of the abyss, but not far off, so I’m not going to be disappointed by being a substitute at the Worlds.

• Finally, in January, Johannes Thingnes Boe and Tarjei Boe both announced that they would be retiring at the end of the winter. What was your reaction?

I always kind of thought they’d stop at the same time. It’s a family affair, we’re brothers, we have more or less the same history. They’re great guys and they’ve been a good example for us for 15 years and Tarjei’s [Boe] first globe. We’re huge fans of theirs! It’s incredible to have been able to develop alongside them for a few years. They’re still great names in biathlon. This winter, I was able to ski a lap with Johannes [Thingnes Boe] during the Kontiolahti sprint and I was so happy to be on his skis. When it’s your idol, it’s a good memory that you keep for life! At first we were sad, but they didn’t die either. You have to stop sometime, so you might as well do it at the top!

• Ruhpolding: first World Cup podium for Emilien Claude, second in the individual race won by Vebjoern Soerum
• Emilien Claude on his first World Cup podium in Ruhpolding: “I don’t feel that my life is changing, but that hard work is paying off after four complicated years”.
• A big first for Emilien Claude: the line-up of the French men’s World Cup relay in Ruhpolding
• Ruhpolding: French triumph again in the relay
• First for Océane Michelon and Emilien Claude, the selected managers, the sixth women’s ticket to be awarded: the French selection for the world championships in Lenzerheide.

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