Biathlon: no podium for Les Bleus in the Pokljuka individual short race
After their individual short at the Biathlon World Cup in Pokljuka (Slovenia), Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Eric Perrot, Emilien Jacquelin, Oscar Lombardot, Emilien Claude and Fabien Claude, the six French competitors, spoke to Nordic Magazine about their performance.
Quentin Fillon-Maillet, 17/20, sixth place
“There are a lot of very good things about this race, such as my skiing time, which is the best, and some well-worked standing shots. Unfortunately, as has been the case since the start of the season, the downhill shots are difficult. I have a bit of a feeling that I haven’t finished the job, which prevents me from going for the podium or even victory. It’s a bit frustrating”.
Eric Perrot, 17/20, eighth place
“It’s a real pleasure! The start of the race was pretty tough, especially as it wasn’t a type of snow that I like. But I managed to finish well and it’s really good to know that my form is returning after a week’s illness. It puts a smile on my face and makes me feel better, even if there were too many mistakes to get ahead.
“After my individual world title], it’s a new race, a new day. In biathlon, the past has little influence on the present. You just have to give it your all. I was just concentrating on coming back from illness and giving it my all.
Emilien Jacquelin, 18/20, eleventh place
“I’m still satisfied because, on a day like today, I didn’t really feel like racing an individual, I know myself. In this type of snow, it can be a really difficult race for me. Finishing eleventh with a good 18/20 isn’t too bad and I’ll take it. For me, it’s almost the most complicated weekend with this individual and the recovery from illness. I can’t wait to be in Oslo where it’ll be a different dynamic on a track that suits me just fine!
Oscar Lombardot, 18/20, eighteenth place
“It’s frustrating because there was a way of doing well, but the first 17 balls were in. At the end of the last shot, my legs were shaking all over the place. I’d go so far as to say that I’m happy to put the last ball in from this standing position, which I fought so hard against. It’s frustrating because it was possible to get a big run, a top 10. There’s a little bit missing, but it’s still a pretty complete race!
Emilien Claude, 17/20, nineteenth grade
“I knew very well that it would come down to 20/20 and luck depending on who won, in order to possibly go for the small globe. In these conditions, I quickly realised that it would be complicated. Honestly, I can’t remember having raced in worse conditions than these in my 10-year career. I’m very disappointed with the organisation for letting us race in these conditions. I’m disappointed, but in terms of the result, it’s almost a great race, whereas it was a real ordeal.
Fabien Claude, 15/20, 28th place
“I’ve been struggling with my standing shots for a while now. It’s been going on for too long in the individual races. The only shots where I do well are in relays and sprints. It’s frustrating, but I have to keep working and persevere. There’s room for improvement in the last four races, even if it was horrible on the track!
[With Julie and Marie Le Bobinnec, in Pokljuka].
Live data for individual shorts
- The full programme for the Pokljuka World Cup, the eighth stage of the 2024/2025 season
- Corinne Niogret: my best memory of… Pokljuka
- Lou Jeanmonnot vs Franziska Preuss and Johannes Thingnes Boe vs Sturla Holm Lægreid: in Pokljuka, a high-risk individual race in the race for the big crystal globe
- Pokljuka: Julia Simon follows up her victory by winning the individual short at 20/20, all the French women in the top 10
- Julia Simon tells Nordic Magazine after her success in the Pokljuka individual short: “I’m very happy to have built up this race in such a beautiful way”.
- Pokljuka: Lou Jeanmonnot wins the small crystal globe in the individual event, a first for a Frenchwoman
- Pokljuka: third in the individual short, Franziska Preuss claws back points from Lou Jeanmonnot in the race for the big globe
- “I’m not going to give up”: Lou Jeanmonnot tells Nordic Magazine after the individual short in Pokljuka
- Pokljuka: Océane Michelon takes command of the U23 rankings and will be wearing blue for the mass-start
- Océane Michelon, fifth in the Pokljuka individual short: “I’m copying and pasting from Kontiolahti”.
