Biathlon : a year and a half later, Quentin Fillon-Maillet is back in the top 3
Despite scoring 17/20 against the targets after making three mistakes in his first three runs on the mats, Quentin Fillon-Maillet pulled out all the stops on his skis to take second place in the mass start of the biathlon world cup in Kontiolahti (Finland).
Now that he’s had a chance to catch up on his team’s emotions following Eric Perrot’s success, the man from the Jura region talked about his performance in a videoconference with Nordic Magazine. Interview.
- We can only imagine how satisfied you were after this race, where you came second thanks to a solid performance on the skis…
I’m happy because these are emotions and sensations that I want to feel. The last two seasons have been complicated, even if it hasn’t all been bad. Since the start of the season, I’ve got back to feeling good physically. I’m very happy with today’s performance and I hope it will inspire others.
- In the shooting, you missed three times in your first three passages in front of the targets. How do you explain this?
It wasn’t necessarily my favourite part. I visited the penalty ring, which wasn’t very well groomed either. I still lack confidence. You can feel it straight away on skis, but it’s more subtle when you’re shooting. I’m still hesitant on certain shots and that leads to mistakes that cost you quite a bit. After that, it was better to miss them at the start of the race because there was time to come back and all the more so with my skiing form. It’s something I wouldn’t have been able to do last year.
- We saw you on the offensive with the last shot. Was it your desire to finish better and move up the table?
I’m happy to finish with a great last shot. It was important and I was much more on the attack. From the outside, it might look like I was taking more risks, but it was still a better shot. I’ll keep that in mind for the future. It creates a positive spiral around me, both collectively and personally. I’m enjoying myself and that bodes well for the future.
- After preparing for the World Cup, where you said you were feeling good again, does that free you up to confirm this at the World Cup?
I wouldn’t say it’s a relief. It’s more like a certain victory over these first stages of the World Cup. There were a lot of doubts and, as you get older, you always wonder whether, physiologically, you’re still capable of performing well on skis. Seeing the great skiing reassures me and really motivates me. My shooting is still a problem and I’m going to try and correct that. It’s not a technical problem, it’s more to do with confidence.
“On the shooting range, I don’t immediately understand that I’m playing for the podium”.Quentin Fillon-Maillet to Nordic Magazine
- After the last shot, did you still see yourself in with a chance of victory?
Winning, no. Second place, why not. On the shooting range, I didn’t immediately understand that I was playing for the podium. I’d been around fifteenth throughout the race and it was quite surprising to come out third in the last shot. I just saw Eric [Perrot] come out on top of his shot but I didn’t see who was with him.
Then I saw that it was Sturla but I don’t know what his physical capabilities were at the time. I went flat out without knowing who was behind me. I had to make my move to secure third place and get back to the front. I wanted to be in his skis before the last climb to attack him. There’s a lot of adaptation on a last lap like that. I wanted to take advantage of my experience last week in the finish of the mixed singles relay.
- You’re back on the podium after months of waiting, so you must be pleased too…
I’m pleased with that, but I was more interested in getting a good feeling for my body and my shooting ability than in getting a result. Now that I feel they’re good, I can concentrate a bit more on the competition and my place in the rankings. Happiness comes above all from being rewarded for the work I put in. It was very emotional, because sharing a podium with a team-mate creates more memories.
- You finished behind Eric Perrot on this mass-start, is it as important to see this collective success?
Seeing Eric put on the yellow jersey is great for him. I know the feeling of putting it on for the first time in my career and it’s a great moment. It’s a great team victory and I congratulate Eric, who has shown and confirmed his great abilities. Punishing myself by seeing the success of others does nothing for me. I was happy when Emilien won and the same goes for Eric. It’s in the interests of the whole group and it’s an extra motivation. I have no reason to be jealous of other people’s performances. When I miss a race like the sprint, I can only blame myself. When I succeed in a race, I want to share it with my team-mates.
Read also
- After more than a year and a half’s wait, Quentin Fillon-Maillet returns to a World Cup podium
- Kontiolahti: Eric Perrot brilliant mass-start winner ahead of Quentin Fillon-Maillet and Sturla Holm Lægreid
