Martin Fourcade lost big this Sunday in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic). Disappointing 14th in a mass start won by his rival Johannes Boe - his 9th success of the winter - the Pyrenees lost precious points in the race for the big crystal globe. Struggling on skis, the five-time 31-year-old Olympic champion made three fatal mistakes on his last two shots.
The reason for this failure, at least in part, is inherent in poor preparation of the skis of the French clan. "It had consequences on the race, in extreme conditions of slowness which were felt from the start," deplores Fourcade, without "throwing stone" at the technicians. “Inevitably, when you want to win the general of the World Cup and you fight point by point, you cannot afford this kind of error. "
"It was a nightmare," he added. I think I have never had this kind of feeling on skis in my career. It's hard to keep fighting for a very nasty 14th place, my worst result of the winter. "
Virtually behind Boe in general
Already 6th Friday during Johannes Boe's first victory this weekend, Fourcade thus conceded 23 additional points to the general over the Norwegian. He therefore virtually loses his place as leader in favor of his rival. Indeed, according to the regulations of the International Biathlon Federation (IBU), it will be necessary to deduct from each biathlete their two worst results at the end of the season, which should even more benefit Boe, who missed two stages in January for cause of paternity (Oberhof, Ruhpolding). After this calculation, Fourcade points to 13 Boe points.
Knowing that a World Cup victory brings 60 points, 54 for a 2nd place, and 48 for a 3rd, the final explanation promises to be lively, five races from the end of the season. Biathletes are now meeting in Kontiolahti (Finland) from March 12 to 15 and in Oslo (Norway) from March 20 to 22 for two more rounds.
Émilien Jacquelin wins a very nice 2nd place just behind Johannes Boe on the mass start of Nove Mesto 🇫🇷💪 #lequipeBIATHLON pic.twitter.com/La12UP2LOA
- L'Équipe channel (@lachainelequipe) March 8, 2020The good surprise came from Emilien Jacquelin. Brilliant behind the rifle (20/20 shooting) and better French on skis, the world pursuit champion was only overtaken by the untouchable Johannes Boe. Leading at the end of the last shot, he gave in to the speed of the Norwegian on skis. He thus won a beautiful second place, ahead of the German Arnd Peiffer. This is his sixth individual podium in the World Cup (once winner, three times 2nd and twice 3rd). Quentin Fillon Maillet, also well placed in the general classification (3rd), limited the breakage (8th).
