Biathlon: Quentin Fillon-Maillet defeats Johannes Thingnes Boe in the general standings
In a few days’ time, if Sturla Holm Lægreid wins the overall ranking of the 2024/2025 Biathlon World Cup, this statistic may no longer hold true. In any case, Quentin Fillon-Maillet is currently the only biathlete – along with a certain Martin Fourcade (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) – to have won a crystal globe over Johannes Thingnes Boe.
This performance, of course, dates back to the 2021/2022 season, a record-breaking season for the Jura native, who also won five Olympic medals that winter, including two golds, and two small globes.
“It’s a real source of pride. Especially as it happened during the Olympic season, when we had the dual objective of winning the crystal globe and the Games, Quentin Fillon-Maillet told Nordic Magazine. In a winter like this, everyone was trying to be at their best, with extra motivation. It just goes to show how successful I’ve been this season. When, in China, I win ahead of the two brothers, it’s a great race because they are two legends of the biathlon, and no lesser ones!”
That season, as the Grandvallier is keen to point out, Johannes Thingnes Boe went home to rest after the Beijing 2022 Olympics. “He needed a break, he says. He’s such a talented athlete! I’d love to have some of his talent, like his incredible ability on the skis and his composure in shooting, where he’s able to handle high-stakes shots perfectly.”
“Even though I respect their choice, I’m disappointed for them that they won’t be going to the Games”
At the end of the week, the Norwegian with five major trophies, like his brother Tarjei Boe, will be putting his skis and rifle away.
“They really gave a great image of our sport. There was an intense rivalry with them and it’s also a great friendship. The fact that they won’t be there [next winter] will lower the general level of the World Cup, says Quentin Fillon-Maillet. Personally, Johannes [Thingnes Boe] was my greatest rival, along with Martin [Fourcade]. They are extraordinary athletes who break all the rules. There’s talk of me winning 20 medals at the World Championships, but Johannes [Thingnes Boe] has 23 golds alone! I’d compare myself more to his brother on the list of medals, who crushes the competition less but has a globe overall. Without them, the biathlon will be a bit different, but there will be plenty of young athletes like Eric [Perrot], Tommaso [Giacomel] and the Norwegian armada from the IBU Cup. The density will be there, but there won’t be any dominant athlete. Their departure will shake up the biathlon world.”
“Even though I respect their choice, I’m disappointed for them that they’re not going to the Games, I think it’s a shame,” concluded Quentin Fillon-Maillet, sad to see his best Norwegian rivals leave with less than a year to go before the Olympics.
- Oslo-Holmenkollen World Cup: the Boe brothers’ retirement changes Sunday’s programme
- Johannes Thingnes Boe to end his career at the end of the season
- Lenzerheide: a historic “check” between Quentin Fillon-Maillet and Johannes Thingnes Boe
