Biathlon : Océane Michelon takes another step closer to the podium
Just over a year ago, Océane Michelon took her first steps on the biathlon World Cup. Twelve months later, still in Oberhof (Germany), the Frenchwoman achieved her two best results of her career, finishing sixth in the sprint on Thursday and fourth in the pursuit on Saturday.

Two impressive performances, all the more so when you consider that the Savoyard arrived in Thuringia with flu-like symptoms. With a very solid 18/20 in the day’s race, the 22-year-old biathlete even thought for a long time that she was in with a chance of a place on the podium.
After spending a long time in the warmth of a group that included many French riders, the young woman gradually made her way up the rankings: “I had the impression that I was only racing with French riders for the whole race. It was cool because I had my bearings. But I had to stay focused, even though it was great to see the whole team up front,” she told La Chaîne L’Équipe in the mixed zone.

However, Océane Michelon was no match for Elvira Oeberg on her skis in the final hectometres of the German course. “I was a bit worried when Elvira [Oeberg] was a bit down on the second climb and I was coming up with quite a bit of speed. After that, I lacked a bit and I feel that my body is still getting rid of the illness,” she admits. But I’m very happy to have worked on the shooting range and to have had fun.
“I’m very happy and there are only positives for the whole team.Océane Michelon at La Chaîne L’Équipe
Beaten by just two seconds by the Swede, the native of Chambéry (Savoie) had nevertheless banked on a tactic to be implemented in the final moments of the race. She restarted a little harder and we wanted to keep our rhythm because the finish is in a headwind and we wanted to conserve as much energy as possible,” she says. We perhaps let her go a little too much and she took the metres she needed to stay ahead.
However, the Frenchwoman is fully satisfied with this performance, which brings her a little closer to the podium and continues to put her in the big league on the international circuit: “I’m very happy and it’s only positive for the whole team. It’s great to be able to play with my friends and say little things to each other on the track [Laughs]”, she concludes.
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