Biathlon | Océane Michelon, fifth in the Pokljuka individual short: “I’m copying and pasting from Kontiolahti”

Biathlon: Océane Michelon, just two bullets short…

At midday on Thursday, Océane Michelon from Savoie got off to a perfect start in the individual short at the Biathlon World Cup in Pokljuka (Slovenia). With a time of 15/15, she was in the top places and heading for the podium.

Unfortunately, the standing Baujue missed her last two shots, scoring 18/20. Fifth at the finish, Océane Michelon nevertheless takes fourth place overall and the blue bib of best U23. In the mixed zone, she spoke to Nordic Magazine.

• We can only imagine you were disappointed by this latest shot…

I’m copying and pasting from Kontiolahti where it was good, but I was learning. I don’t like to make the same mistake twice and this time I did it again. It’s a bit embarrassing (sic) because it was really all up front, it would have been nice! I’m still learning.

• In Kontiolahti, you missed two bullets on that last shot: do you think about that when you get to the shooting range?

I’m thinking about 20/20, but not about doing like Kontiolahti. It’s when I’m putting the rifle back that I think about it… On the lead lap, I was thinking about 20/20, but I wasn’t putting any pressure on myself. I felt good on the shooting range where it was really pleasant to shoot. It’s a learning curve.

• Even so, you took the blue bib from Jeanne Richard. Can you talk about this battle?

As we said at the end-of-season preparatory meeting, the important thing is that it stays in France! After that, we’re all going to do our best to defend our place. The important thing is that one of us wins it. There are still races to go, so we’ll see!

• Will this galvanise you for the mass-start or add to the pressure?

As I did at the start of the season, I’m going to try to take it as a colour on fabric and try to ignore it. The aim is to continue in this direction and this working approach, fighting to the end.

_{[With Julie and Marie Le Bobinnec, in Pokljuka].}

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