Biathlon: a look back at the Team Biathlon Franche-Comté Summer Tour
Created last spring, the Team Biathlon Franche-Comté (TBFC) brings together seven biathletes and one cross-country skier from the Massif jurassien committee. Working outside the regional structure to train together, they took part in their first competitions in recent weeks at the Summer Tour races in Arçon (Doubs) and La Féclaz (Savoie).
For Nordic Magazine, Alexis Nappey, Lubin Amiotte, Esteban Javaux, Léo Sancerne and Romain Cordier agreed to take stock.
Alexis Nappey: “I’m counting on the Bessans training camp to put in place what we need to correct the mistakes we made at La Féclaz”.
“The first bibs at Arçon were pretty good with encouraging ski times and shots. Unfortunately, things didn’t go so well for me in the sprint at La Féclaz with a bad shot. The next day, I took the pursuit with a lot of time to spare, but despite that, I was very satisfied with my skiing times in that race. However, my shooting doesn’t allow me to hope for a better result or a better outcome.
“I’m now concentrating on what’s next, on the French Cup this winter so that I can perform well there. I’m counting on the training camp in Bessans to put in place what I need to correct the mistakes I made at La Féclaz.
Lubin Amiotte: “These results don’t suit me”.
“There were some very good shooting performances over the two weekends. After that, we didn’t have the physical level we’d hoped for, once again on the two Summer Tours in the autumn. So, on the whole, I’m not happy with the results. That means I can’t achieve my goals and take part in the selection races in Bessans.
“We’re going to keep working hard to achieve our other goals, such as selection for the Junior Cup and the World Junior Championships.
Esteban Javaux: “I had a good feeling on ski-wheels in the sprint [at La Féclaz]”.
“We had a good summer preparation with Team Biathlon Franche-Comté. However, my legs were a bit heavy throughout the summer, so we had to manage that. At the first Summer Tour, in Arçon, I didn’t feel very good because I’d caught a cold at the start of the previous week. I was struggling with my shooting, especially on the horizontal.
“After that, we went to Vaison-la-Romaine for a training camp to build up a bit and avoid the bad weather in the Jura! At La Féclaz, for the second Summer Tour, I had a good feeling on ski-wheels in the sprint, but the shooting was too limited with a 7/10. The pursuit was really nice for the first three laps, but then my legs gave out at the start of the fourth. On the last shot, it was my head that gave out and then I fought hard in the last lap not to lose any places and I finished thirty-fifth.
Léo Sancerne: “I can’t wait to get back out on the snow with the Team!
“At Arçon, I did a good sprint on the first day and was in pretty good shape on the ski-wheels. I shot 5/10, so it was bad, but within the average for that day. That gave me a good sprint, but the next day I did 12/20 in the pursuit, during which I lost a few places. It was more complicated at La Féclaz, mainly because I was less fit on the skis and I also didn’t shoot as well, with a 9/20 in the pursuit. Now I can’t wait to get back out on the snow with the Team!
Romain Cordier: “I was coming off two very complicated years because of physical problems…”.
“We had a great summer with the whole team and some great training. In terms of form, it was very positive. I’d just come through two very complicated years because of physical problems and now I’m back on track and I’m really looking forward to the Summer Tour. Unfortunately, I fell ill before Arçon and had a terrible weekend, retiring in the sprint.
“Then we went to La Féclaz a month later. On Saturday, there were some good things and some not-so-good things. In the sprint, it didn’t last the whole race. I managed to ski half of it and then had trouble finishing. The good stuff came from the shooting and I hope it stays that way!
