Biathlon: Emilien Claude still hasn’t found the right recipe for shooting
At the start of the season, 25-year-old Emilien Claude from the Vosges managed to get past the ruthless French selections in the IBU Cup to reach the World Cup circuit. He took part in two flower ceremonies during the sprints inIdre Fjäll (Sweden), and showed that he was good enough.
Once in the World Cup, Emilien Claude – in Kontiolahti (Finland), Hochfilzen (Austria) and Le Grand-Bornand (Haute-Savoie) – failed to shine. 31st, 24th, 45th, 40th, 37th and 33rd, he managed just one meagre top 25 finish.
“What I lack, as usual, is the shot, he explains realistically to Nordic Magazine. It’s always a ball here and a ball there.” Currently, the biathlete from Basse-sur-le-Rupt (Vosges) has an 82% success rate behind the targets (84% prone, 80% standing).
The physical aspect is there for all to see
“I haven’t come close in many races. It’s always very close and, on the skis, things are going well, he is pleased to say. That’s the good thing: this year, my health and physique are responding. I’ve made really good progress in that area this summer. That’s really encouraging because it means that things are going to click when the time comes to shoot.”
Frustrated at not seeing his progress pay off in competition during December, Emilien Claude admits to being disappointed by the situation. “I would have liked to shine in Grand-Bornand,” he says. Instead, he didn ‘t take part in the mass-start, unlike two years ago, spending the race on the shooting range alongside Jean-Pierre Amat.
At the beginning of January, in Oberhof (Germany), Emilien Claude will once again have the opportunity to shatter his glass ceiling.
- The verdict is in: Emilien Claude and Antonin Guigonnat join Kontiolahti and the World Cup
- “There was no ambiguity”: Stéphane Bouthiaux explains to Nordic Magazine why Emilien Claude and Antonin Guigonnat won their place in the World Cup
- “I can’t wait to see how he performs”, “He’s progressed, he deserves it”: Emilien Claude’s return to the World Cup is a source of great joy to those close to him, Anna Gandler and Fabien Claude.
