Anterselva (Italy) (AFP)
Seven medals including three in gold (pursuit, Individual, relay), podiums in all races: the French men's biathlon team flew over the Worlds in Anterselva with historic results which rewarded the exceptional density of the Blues at most high level.
Certainly, the Norwegian Johannes Boe deprived the French of a 4th crown in Italy by winning the mass start, his first title on an individual level during the fortnight. But by placing Quentin Fillon-Maillet (2nd) and Emilien Jacquelin (3rd) on "the box", the tricolor clan closed the World Championships on a new positive note and a splendid record.
While the ladies sank (0 medals), the men were up to the challenge and held their rank. With four representatives in the Top 10 of the World Cup (Martin Fourcade 1st, Quentin Fillon-Maillet 2nd, Simon Desthieux 5th, Emilien Jacquelin 7th), the Blues were expected and they did not fail, allowing, almost alone , France to finish in 2nd position in the ranking of nations behind Norway, with 8 medals in total by adding the bronze in the single mixed relay.
Martin Fourcade signed an 11th victory to offer himself a new record (tied with Ole-Einar Bjoerndalen) before finally climbing on the highest step with his friends in the relay. Quentin Fillon-Maillet (two 2nd places in sprint and mass start) confirmed that he was now more than a safe bet, and Emilien Jacquelin, the revelation of the competition with 4 charms (gold from the pursuit and the relay, bronze of the simple mixed relay and the mass start), begins to assert itself seriously. What to see the future with optimism, even in the event of retirement from Fourcade at the end of the season.
- "Impressive" -
"We are no longer looking for words but this team still has a future and is far from being at the end of its progression", according to Stéphane Bouthiaux, the boss of French biathlon. "We can have confidence for the next two years. Emilien is very young and will continue to progress. Quentin is still growing, Simon Desthieux is marking time but he is young and we do not know what Martin Fourcade will do".
For Fillon-Maillet, the best Tricolor of last season and now declared candidate for the big crystal globe behind Fourcade, what the French team has achieved is "just impressive".
"We have a good school, added the Jurassic. The density of skis, the shooting force, the work of the technicians, that's all that makes us such an emulation. I am very happy to do part of this team and when I think about it in 20 years, after my career, I would say that it was good times ".
Nor should we overlook the power of a locomotive like Fourcade, the man who ruled world biathlon from 2012 to 2018 and who pulled a whole generation up. Returning to the top after a nightmarish season, the five-time Olympic champion remains the absolute model for his teammates and the one who started this virtuous cycle.
"It's thanks to him that we're here today," said Simon Desthieux. "He made us dream younger when we were watching TV and brought us to the highest level. That's also why we made crazy Worlds ".
© 2020 AFP