– So much has happened in the last three years. It has been tough. I lost my love for biathlon, but found it again after the New Year. I can feel it – and I think others see it too. It is a very emotional victory. That’s what Émilien Jacquelin (29) says to news after he took his first victory in the World Cup since 2021. He celebrated the sprint victory by keeping quiet in the finish area. – There are so many doubters. Not just directed at me, but all practitioners. It was about that: “Just keep talking, see what I can do,” says the Frenchman. Wants advice From the Norwegian camp, Jacquelin is described as a “fun joker”, a “yo-yo” and a “cowboy shooter”. Vebjørn Sørum himself believes that they are quite similar in type. QUIET: Émilien Jacquelin was both pointing and quiet after the long-awaited victory in Finland. Photo: BILDBYRÅN – We have a lot of skills that allow us to take out the little extra. We have a lot of passion for sports. Now it looks like he has relaxed a bit in the standing position, which he has struggled with before. I am impressed by how he has worked there, says Sørum. The victory inspires the Norwegian 26-year-old. – I want to hear how he did it. I hope he will share, he continued. – Me against myself news relays Sørum’s wish to Jacquelin. It is clear that the Frenchman is not a person who doubts his winning formula. WILL BE AFFORDABLE: Vebjørn Sørum hopes to learn from Émilien Jacquelin. Sørum was number eight on Friday. Photo: BILDBYRÅN – Those were nice words. It will be my pleasure to talk to him and teach him. Even though we are competitors, I love sharing with other athletes, says Jacquelin. He tells about great conversations with Johannes Dale-Skjevdal and the Bø brothers – and is happy to exchange experiences with Sørum as well. – For me, it’s a race between me and myself, not them. Are they better than me? Ok, congratulations to them, says Jacquelin. WILD CELEBRATION: The French were delighted with Émilien Jacquelin’s victory. Photo: BILDBYRÅN – Stress and anxiety When Jacquelin stood on the victory podium in Kontiolahti, he thought back to his previous victory. It came at home in Le Grand-Bornand in December 2021. The previous summer he was at a training camp in Norway. During a bicycle ride, he crashed into a brick wall and broke his wrist. The road back has been long. He won in France a few months later, but then it would be three years before the next victory. Adversity has been tough. – When you compete with stress and anxiety, you cannot enjoy it. And if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you should stop. Same as it applies. I wasn’t able to enjoy biathlon for a couple of years, so it means a lot to win now, says Jacquelin. REVIEW: During the mixed relay in Kontiolahti about a week ago, Vebjørn Sørum took the lead from Émilien Jacquelin on the run. Photo: BILDBYRÅN – My own worst enemy The 29-year-old won WC gold in the pursuit start in both 2020 and 2021. He was part of the relay team that won in 2020 and 2023 – and the hope was that he would be the heir to superstar Martin Fourcade when he let up. Jacquelin led the world cup at Christmas time in 2021, but then he had a mental breakdown and in the new year he chose to face several competitions. When news met him this summer, he talked about the painful period. – I had to take a step back. I had to find out if I really love biathlon and why. If I really wanted to continue. It wouldn’t have been a shame if I had to quit. But I wanted to be sure that if I continued, it was because I really wanted to. And not because it’s my job, because I’m good at it or because it’s a great way to live. But now I know that I really love my sport. It’s my passion, Jacquelin said. The key was to be yourself, he explains. – I think that I am my own worst enemy. If I manage to be kind to myself, have inner peace and a positive attitude, I think I can be better than ever, said the Frenchman this summer. RARE SIGHT: Émilien Jacquelin (centre) won, Sebastian Samuelsson (left) was second, while Philipp Nawrath was third. In other words, there were no Norwegians on the podium. Photo: BILDBYRÅN – Innertiar – Have you felt a lot of pressure? asks news almost half a year later. – Not now anymore. I used to do that, but now I do as I want. Two days ago someone said: “You shoot too fast, be careful”. But for me this is the right way. You just have to have self-confidence and not listen to the doubters, says Jacquelin. The Norwegian biathlon men do not think it will be another three years before the Frenchman wins again. Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen believes Jacquelin has become calmer on the stand. – He has succeeded a couple of times, but mostly unsuccessfully. Now he seems to have more control. There are rumors of a new shooting coach who has gotten under his skin. Unfortunately for us, says Christiansen with a smile. He describes the Frenchman’s skiing as “magical”. – It was a fantastic race. When he first wins, then it’s inner ten. That sprint there was class, says Endre Strømsheim. Ola Lunde has never seen this before: – Very special 00:51 The hare is chased by 90 skiers: – Hysterical – images from Vsport1 00:55 Here the frantic recovery is decided 01:13 Flying off the piste at high speed – images from Vsport1 00: 40 Show more Published 07.12.2024, at 08.34
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