The weekend was particularly auspicious for the Blues in front of an audience fully committed to their cause.

The day after Quentin Fillon-Maillet's recital in pursuit, it was Emilien Jacquelin who provided the show, offering himself the third success of his career on the circuit after his two world championship titles in pursuit (2020, 2021 ).

24 hours earlier, the Grenoblois (26 years old) had left the track furious, after completely missing out on his race (9th) when the yellow jersey of the World Cup leader was within his reach.

But he knew perfectly well how to remobilize himself to leave no chance to his rivals.

Jacquelin had already been on the podium three times this season, but he had not yet tasted victory.

Strong with a rifle (1 fault) and still untouchable on skis, he repaired the anomaly by tipping in front at the end of the first prone shot never to be caught again, after having placed a big attack.

The French Emilien Jacquelin, on the shooting range, during his victory in the mass start, on December 19, 2021 in Grand Bornand OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE AFP

And to think that the French had known a preparation disturbed by a fracture to the left wrist which occurred last summer.

"It's a victory that I will fully savor, he said. My first world title was disbelief, on the second I was keen to prove that it was really My level, it was a deliverance. This one is very strong emotionally. These are incredible moments to live, especially after the difficult period that I lived. There were tears which flowed on the podium. "

The joy of French biathlete Emilien Jacquelin, winner of the mass start, on December 19, 2021 in Le Grand Bornand OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE AFP

Tight fight for the big globe

"Yesterday, I took an hour before going back down and starting to take a step back after my poor performance. I had done things that were not like me on standing shots (5 errors, note). But I am very happy to have everything back on track, "he added.

With Jacquelin's seizure of power, the day after Fillon-Maillet's ephemeral one, the conclusion is clear: the fight to win the big crystal globe promises to be very tight.

During the last ten years, the circuit has been under the control of one man (Martin Fourcade from 2012 to 2018 and Johannes Boe from 2019 to 2021).

This era seems to be over since only 35 points separate the 5th in the general classification, the Russian Eduard Latypov, from Jacquelin.

And Fillon-Maillet, now 2nd, is only two short lengths from his compatriot and rival.

"It has never been so open, estimated Fillon-Maillet. Nobody dominates this year. It gives suspense and it's a good fight. But the general, we will talk about it after the Olympic Games (February 4-20 to Beijing, editor's note) even if I keep it a little bit in my head. "

"There is a big density, the level is very high. There are about ten athletes who are able to play the big globe. The best way to perform is not to think about it. Yesterday, I did it. thought, I did anything, today I did not think about it and it worked well ", for his part explained Jacquelin.

The joy of French Emilien Jacquelin, winner of the mass start ahead of his compatriot Quentin Fillon-Maillet, December 19, 2021 in Grand Bornand OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE AFP

Among women, Julia Simon will also leave Grand-Bornand with full confidence.

After a catastrophic start, the biathlete from Les Saisies (25) took advantage of the passage of the circuit in France to relaunch with two consecutive podiums.

Second in the pursuit on Saturday behind Elvira Oeberg, Simon again finished just behind the Swede, victorious at the mass start, and seems to have finally found a solid shot (18/20).

The joy of the French Julia Simon, 2nd of the mass start, on December 19, 2021 in Le Grand Bornand OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE AFP

"The results are very positive, it was not easy to recover after this complicated start to the season, she said. You just had to be confident in the things that I had put in place all summer. "

© 2021 AFP