Mathieu Warnier, Media365: published on Sunday December 1, 2024 at 8:35 p.m.
If they crushed the men's relay contested this Sunday in Kontiolahti, the French biathletes were for a time able to believe in an unprecedented flawless performance in the history of the World Cup. The two picks on the last shot left them with a touch of disappointment.
There were the Blues and the others this Sunday in Kontiolahti. The French quartet dominated the first men's relay of the World Cup season head and shoulders, notably thanks to a marksmanship rarely seen in the discipline. Indeed, until the very last pass in front of the targets, the French team had achieved a flawless performance and 40 out of 40 was within reach. But, as Emilien Jacquelin confided at the microphone of the L’Equipe channel“unfortunately there are two picks”. Indeed, the native of Grenoble trembled when finishing and had to use two additional balls to clear his five targets. And he doesn't hide it, the possibility of achieving an unprecedented flawless performance in a relay played a role. “It was starting to run through my head,” he added. When Eric Perrot handed over to me, instead of trying not to think about it, I was more trying to accept the fact that it could happen. I stayed focused on the first shot, I did what I had to do. But I admit that, if I didn't necessarily think about it on the second round, I felt a gagging three meters from the mat where I told myself that there was that too. »
Perrot: “A little frustration”
From then on, the objective was not to “crash the relay” with a potential penalty round which would have put Norway back in the game. “The picks were complicated to put in,” conceded Emilien Jacquelin. Sometimes, it's not easy to be so far ahead. All's well that ends well. They were monstrous. » Eric Perrot, for his part, did not hide the fact that there is “a little frustration”, putting this down to the fact that the French biathletes are “all a little picky, a little perfectionist”. But he nevertheless understands his teammate's difficulties in such a situation. “There is a lot of pressure on Emilien Jacquelin during the last shot,” he said. “I don’t think many people realize that. Being a minute early makes it even more complicated. The most important thing is to have crushed the race. » Shooting coach of the French men's team, Jean-Pierre Amat summed up the day by confiding that there is “of course happiness but also frustration” because “it went so close”. Quentin Fillon Maillot, for his part, is satisfied with the result. “The main thing is to win,” he said. Afterwards, we make history if we can. » And, on Jean-Pierre Amat's side, there is still this idea in the back of his mind but he assures that the Blues will “save that for a big occasion”. The message got through.
