Biathlon: “His objective was to return to his 2022 standards”, reveals Mattéo Correia about Quentin Fillon-Maillet
With just a few months to go before the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, Quentin Fillon-Maillet is aiming to do as well as or better than he did in Beijing (China) in 2022, when he won five medals, including two titles. The Jura native can count on an excellent training partner in Vosges cross-country skier Mattéo Correia, ten years younger than him. Correia moved to the Jura for his career, and in the 33-year-old biathlete he has found a solid anchor.
“We have a coach in common, Nicolas Chouard. He knows Quentin really well, and the link just clicked. From the first year, it was mainly a training partnership. Since this season, it’s been different; I see him as a big brother. He brings me a lot, whether it’s recovery, performance management or even the mental approach,” explained the 23-year-old cross-country skier in an interview with Eurosport.
The 2025/2026 season is a special one, leading directly to the Olympic Games. For Mattéo Correia, a dream that is still distant but possible. For Quentin Fillon-Maillet, a crucial deadline.
“It’s not just about taking part. It’s a performance objective. His ambition is to do better than in Beijing, and that’s huge, because it’s extremely difficult to achieve […] His goal was to get back to his 2022 standards. As far as I’m concerned, he’s there, even a notch above. All the indicators are green. He’s in great shape. What we had to sort out at all costs during this preparation was to get through this prone shot without a hitch and to get clean shots. These days, if you don’t get your shots perfect, it’s hard to win a medal at the Games.
The rigour of Quentin Fillon-Maillet
The young cross-country skier described Quentin Fillon-Maillet ‘s state of mind and his rigour during training sessions. “We went out in a torrential downpour. I was fed up and wanted to go home after two and a half hours. But Quentin said, ‘No, we’re doing three hours. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or not”. For the last half hour, I grumbled a bit… but he’s right. […] It’s that consistency that makes the difference.
Even during their cycling sessions, the spirit of competition dominates. Strava segments, sprints to pass signs at the entrance to built-up areas: everything is a pretext for tug-of-war . In the short sprints, I have a slight advantage. But over the long distance, he still lets me down […] On the Planche des Belles Filles, he let me down!
Despite being ten years apart, the two athletes share an obvious complicity. Mattéo Correia admits that the difference is mainly in experience and hindsight. “For his part, from the moment you turn 30, I think you have a certain distance from what you’ve done and you can detach yourself from things. As for me, I’m a bit of a head case at 23. In that respect, he brings me a lot.
There are a few discrepancies, particularly in terms of music. “I’m more into rap, he’s not at all. He likes to listen to the radio in the car… It makes me laugh. But maybe in ten years’ time I’ll be doing the same!
For Quentin Fillon-Maillet, the objective is clear: to aim for excellence next February. And for Mattéo Correia, to progress by drawing inspiration from his elder brother. “His number one asset is his perseverance. He’s someone who doesn’t give up and who’s really rigorous. Of course, when it comes to skiing, technically he’s an example, even if everyone has their own way of skiing. He really has a great technique and that allows him to be very strong.
Read also
- Biathlon | Quentin Fillon-Maillet absent from the pursuit at the Summer Tour d’Arçon: Jean-Pierre Amat, the French team’s shooting coach, explains his decision to Nordic Magazine
- Biathlon | “He has to learn to deal with these situations”: Simon Fourcade reflects on the sprint of Quentin Fillon-Maillet, who made 8 mistakes behind the rifle in the sprint at the Summer Tour d’Arçon
- Biathlon | Quentin Fillon-Maillet’s 2024/2025 season as seen by Simon Fourcade: “It’s great to get an athlete like him back to the top”.
- Biathlon | Quentin Fillon-Maillet one year ahead of the opening ceremony of the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games: “I can’t wait to get there”.
- Biathlon | 2025/2026 season: the complete selection of the French men’s A team
