Biathlon: Jean-Pierre Amat talks to Nordic Magazine
From Saturday to Friday, the biathletes in the French men’s biathlon team – Fabien Claude, Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Emilien Jacquelin, Emilien Claude, Antonin Guigonnat and Oscar Lombardot – were at Corrençon-en-Vercors (Isère) for a training camp.
Staying at Zecamp with Marie Dorin-Habert and Loïs Habert, the French team spent a week working on their skiing, weight training, cycling and shooting skills. Jean-Pierre Amat, the group’s shooting coach, tells Nordic Magazine all about it. Interview.
- What have you learnt from this first real preparation camp?
After a pre-Olympic course where we only did a little precision work, this meeting was the first major preparation. The aim was to see where we were in terms of equipment, especially for the two of us who had changed. Then, we had to get some reference points in relation to the end of the season. Have they regressed and is there a recurring problem in one position? That’s logical after a break and the holidays. The bottom line is that there are no recurring problems, which is good, and the level hasn’t really dropped. They’ve lost a bit, but we need to get them back on track rather than do any real groundwork.
- Over the summer, what are the main areas of work in terms of shooting?
So far, we’ve reintroduced very little shooting with effort. That’s why I’m looking forward to the sessions with a bit more bite. This morning [Thursday morning], there was some speed. It’s good and it destabilises them a bit, but it’s not the same type of effort as in racing. It’s a difficulty that makes them realise that they have to hold on tighter, especially mentally. It reminds them that a shot can never be taken for granted and that you absolutely have to be there. That’s something you can lose at the start of the summer.
“We need to rediscover our stamina and concentration”.Jean-Pierre Amat at Nordic Magazine
- What happens next?
We need to regain our stamina and concentration. In winter, that’s there and it’s not a problem, but on a summer course, after 5 days, you have to keep that ability despite the mental and physical fatigue. That’s one of the things you have to work on.
- Is there anything special about a re-launch on the Corrençon-en-Vercors shooting range (Isère)?
Nothing very specific except that it was windy. From my point of view, the specificity of a stadium can be the altitude, the arrival at the shooting range and the wind. Here, there’s nothing special about the first two points, but there is wind. We’ve had a bit of it every day, not always the same and not very strong. It woke the boys up without disturbing them too much.
“This year, the priority is on programming, and only programming”.Jean-Pierre Amat at Nordic Magazine
- The next long course will take place in July in Ceillac (Hautes-Alpes), so you won’t be going to the Blink Festival in Norway. What will change in terms of shooting?
We’re not pitting Blink, which doesn’t fit in with the general programming, against Ceillac. This year, the priority is on the programming, and only that. Ceillac is a new venue and we’re looking above all to avoid routine. If we had an ideal stadium in France, we’d do all the courses there! We don’t, and in any case it would be too routine and boring. We’re moving around and they’re happy about that for the first few days, which won’t stop them from working.
(With Pablo Henriques, in Corrençon-en-Vercors)
- “The course that really kicks off Olympic preparation”: Simon Fourcade talks to Nordic Magazine about the Corrençon-en-Vercors meeting, which opens this Saturday.
- Photo album of Fabien Claude, Eric Perrot, Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Emilien Jacquelin, Emilien Claude, Antonin Guigonnat and Oscar Lombardot training in Corrençon-en-Vercors
- Corrençon-en-Vercors training camp: images of the long 150 km cycling trip by Les Bleus
- Photo album of Les Bleus’ final training sessions in Corrençon-en-Vercors
- At the heart of the preparation of the French biathletes in Corrençon-en-Vercors
