Biathlon : Eric Perrot second in the pursuit behind Johannes Thingnes Boe
Eric Perrotscored the only 20/20 in the men’s pursuit at the Biathlon World Cup in Le Grand-Bornand (Haute-Savoie) on Saturday lunchtime, finishing second. This first podium finish in the Aravis region was a natural delight for the Peiserot in the mixed zone.
- Did you get your kicks on Saturday?
No, no, it was a disaster [laughs]! It was enormous. Frankly, it was one of the best races I’ve ever experienced. To experience it with everyone, my close circle with whom I share my daily life, my training team-mates with whom I’ve been at the club since I was a kid, the French public, it’s a legend between the memories and today. To be able to be carried along by this atmosphere on the track is enormous.
- What’s more, you’re winning in style…
Yeah, absolutely! I managed to set up what I wanted on the track and on the launch pad. I had a great race. At the same time, there are all these people around with whom I can share. That’s my favourite thing in the world: doing what I wanted to do and sharing it. These are the two very important concepts, with a mix of the two today [Saturday]. Victory is missing to be really picky, but it’s almost a feeling of victory. These are magical emotions.
“I know I’ll get better with each race as the season goes on”.Eric Perrot at Nordic Magazine
- The atmosphere here in Le Grand-Bornand (Haute-Savoie) is often complicated: have you been helped by it?
This year, yes. Two and three years ago, I felt it was heavier to carry. Today, as a biathlete, I’ve found myself again and I feel like I can do what I want to do and how I want to do it. It’s magical to be able to feel that I’m at that level, to be able to do what I want to do and to feel all that energy transformed into something positive.
- You shot 30/30 this week: is it this consistency in your shooting that gets you on the podium?
That’s for sure! Last year, I realised that I wasn’t the best on skis, but that I had the necessary level to play up front and put the ball in the net. So it was a real challenge to improve my shooting. I’ve managed to do that for now, but it’s a long season ahead!
- These good results in December also augur well for the future…
I know that I improve with each race as the season goes on. That’s what’s happened over the last few years. I feel comfortable and I have a feeling that things are going to get even better.
- Le Grand-Bornand: Eric Perrot and Emilien Jacquelin claim a podium finish in the pursuit, dominated by Johannes Thingnes Boe
- Emilien Jacquelin’s joy after his podium finish in the pursuit at Le Grand-Bornand: “I love this kind of atmosphere where you’re all in the same place”.
