The Norwegian New Wave has hit hard.
Sturla Holm Laegreid, revelation of the winter, made speak the powder and its surgical effectiveness in shooting to offer itself Wednesday the world title of the Individual, the French Quentin Fillon-Maillet, decidedly cursed in Pokljuka, failing once again at the foot of the podium (4th).
For his first full season, Laegreid (23) has confirmed that he is already one of the best triggers on the circuit.
Author of a magnificent 20/20 with the rifle, the young Scandinavian made a double blow with a first gold medal in solo and a first small globe of the specialty.
His baptism of fire at the World Championships is for the moment a total success since he is crowned for the second time in Slovenia after the victory acquired in the mixed relay with Norway at the opening of the competition.
In praise of Martin Fourcade
Despite a fanfare debut in the World Cup (4 successes before the Worlds) where he is behind the double-holding Johannes Boe, Laegreid was expected at the turn in Pokjluka.
Impervious to pressure, he pulled off the perfect race on D-Day, in a test that exactly matches his qualities as an outstanding shooter.
“I dreamed of a medal but gold is simply unimaginable.
With the little globe on top, it's been an unforgettable day, ”said Laegreid, who edged out German Arnd Peiffer and Norwegian Johannes Dale.
A follower of meditation, Laegreid is reminiscent of the great Martin Fourcade, one of his models, with his calm and his ability to clear his head on the shooting range.
“He's a very mature athlete for his age,” said the five-time Olympic champion.
I find a lot of similarities in his attitude when it comes to shooting.
He's really not stereotypical.
It is a source of pride if I can be the source of inspiration for such a beautiful world champion.
In shooting, he is at a level that could allow him to dominate for a few years. "
The disappointment is however immense for Quentin Fillon-Maillet.
As in the pursuit on Sunday, the French number 1, again victim of his ineffectiveness behind the rifle (18/20), must be content with the worst place, the 4th, and has still not won a medal during of these Worlds.
While two of his teammates climbed on the podium (gold in the pursuit and bronze in the sprint for Emilien Jacquelin, silver in the sprint for Simon Desthieux), the Jurassien, still empty-handed, never ceases to mull over his grief.
After announcing that he wanted to fight for the victory of the big crystal globe, Fillon-Maillet, well behind in the general classification (only 1 success), had come to the obvious and counted on the World Championships to save his season and snatch a first individual title.
The bet is for the moment lost.
"The disappointment was already great after the sprint and the pursuit but continuing with the same errors on the prone shot, it makes me angry and frustrates me."
Quentin Fillon Maillet
“It's hard, he blurted out after the race.
The disappointment was already great after the sprint and the chase, but continuing with the same mistakes on the prone shot, that makes me angry and frustrates me.
I'm so disappointed because it's the same as in the first races, it's not far but it's not on the podium.
It's still an escaping chance.
I said I wanted to fight to be the best biathlete in the world and not the 4th, 5th or 6th.
To fail so little is hard to take. "
Fillon-Maillet can blame himself all the more because he showed very good form on the track with the best time on skis.
“Unfortunately, we do not award the title of world champion to the best skier.
With two shooting errors, I knew very well that it would be complicated, ”he admitted.
He now has two races left, the relay on Saturday and the mass start on Sunday, to leave these Worlds with a smile.
"I will not lack energy because there are still chances", he assured as if to give himself courage.
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