What if the salvation of French men’s biathlon ultimately went through Emilien Jacquelin? In the absence of Quentin Fillon Maillet, “lacking energy on the skis” and a last-minute surprise package this Sunday, the 28-year-old French biathlete still showed great things in the pursuit of Rupholding (Germany). Fourth in the sprint the day before, Emilien Jacquelin once again finished at the foot of the podium in a pursuit as expected dominated by Norway.
In these (difficult) times, it is therefore a good performance to see a French biathlete fight to the end with the world elite, concluding the weekend less than 10 seconds behind the winner of the day Johannes Dale-Skjevdal , as well as his compatriots Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen and Johannes Boe.
If he does not dominate this start of the season head and shoulders, the latter retains the lead in the general classification of the World Cup. But on the French side, we can therefore nourish reason for hope in the great comeback of Emilien Jacquelin, after three faults on prone shots, but then a clear fault on standing shots. Starting in 16th position, another Frenchman, Eric Perrot, also entered the Top 10 at Rupholding, with a ninth place 35 seconds behind Johannes Dale-Skjevdal.