Biathlon: Emilien Claude, a first World Cup relay and a first victory
Vosgien Emilien Claude is enjoying a royal week at the Biathlon World Cup in Ruhpolding (Germany). Second in the individual on Wednesday afternoon, he took advantage of Eric Perrot’s rest on Friday to compete in his first relay on the most prestigious of international circuits.
A successful first, as the race ended in victory. “I went through the final stages at full speed this week. In two races, it’s another dimension, I’m in the spotlight, he told Nordic Magazine after the protocol meeting. I realise how lucky I am and I know that it won’t be every week like this, so I’m trying to take everything I can and make the most of it. These are emotions for life.”
A solid start to the relay
More stressed than usual when he woke up, Emilien Claude nonetheless delivered a solid one-pit race as a pitcher.
“It was a great opportunity for me to take part in the relay, he says. In an individual race, you’re on your own, but in a relay there’s a little something extra for your mates. I took it as a positive and used it to stay focused and run the perfect race, or close to it. The job was to get back in front or in contact [and I did that]. I’m happy with my race.”
A World Cup victory shared, in particular, with his older brother Fabien Claude. “This is my first Claudium, I hope not my last,” he says with a smile.
Very much a team player, the Bassurois says he loves sharing these moments of happiness as a team. “I knew this day would come, it’s like being in a dream,” he concludes after helping France to a third relay success in a row. An historic first.
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- Same old, same old: the French selection for the Ruhpolding World Cup
- 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”.
- “I cried”: how Anna Gandler, his partner in the Austrian biathlon team, felt about Emilien Claude’s first World Cup podium finish.
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- Ruhpolding: another victory for Lou Jeanmonnot, winner of the individual at 20/20
- “I’m proud of myself for having managed to deal with this different pressure than usual”: Lou Jeanmonnot’s joy at winning the Ruhpolding individual race in red
- “It’s really moving”: third in the Ruhpolding individual, Switzerland’s Amy Baserga signs her best career result
- “I didn’t feel ready at all, I was nervous? Anna Gandler recounts her individual race in Ruhpolding, where she finished sixth at the flower ceremony.
- Ruhpolding: French triumph again in the relay
