(Montreal) Jules Burnotte was perfect in shooting and his good day in skiing allowed him to climb to 21and rank in the 10 kilometer sprint at the World Cup in Otepää, Estonia. The Quebecer was the best Canadian on Thursday, stopping the clock at 23 minutes 31.2 seconds (+1 minute 3.8 seconds).
Posted at 12:22 p.m.
“Shooting a 10 out of 10 with a rifle really doesn’t happen to me often. I know that when that happens, it’s synonymous with a good race in general. I was a tenth of a second away from finishing in the top-20, there are plenty of places where I could have won that tenth. I’m really happy and proud of where I’m at, ”rejoiced Burnotte in an interview with Sportcom.
“I had some good times at the Olympics and I think continuing in the right direction proves to myself that I do belong on the World Cup circuit. I’m happy with the level I’m at, maybe I’m not always consistent, but I’m having more and more good days,” he added.
The biathlete from Sherbrooke found himself outside the top-60 at the entrance of the first shooting range and he came out at 23and rank. Burnotte does not believe he had an exceptional day in skiing, but given the result, he realizes that it should not have been so bad after all.
“It wasn’t great until the first shot. Guess I had to ski well at some point in the race to get the 21and rank. For things to go well in biathlon, you have to be at the top of your game in both facets, I think that’s what happened today (Thursday). »
Frenchman Quentin Fillon Maillet was the first to cross the finish line to claim the gold medal. Fillon Maillet was ahead of the Norwegian Sturla Holm Laegreid (+7.2 seconds) and the German Benedikt Doll (+11.1 seconds).
The conditions were perfect according to Burnotte for the practice of his sport on Thursday. The thermometer showed -1 degree and a very light wind was blowing on the track. More than half of the 88 athletes who took the start missed a target or less during the rifle runs, 23 of them were perfect.
“We feel that it’s the end of the season, it’s sunny and warm! There was not too much wind on the range compared to what we had during training earlier this week. The conditions were perfect and it showed. There is also a kind of freedom that comes with the last races of the season,” concluded Burnotte.
Jules Burnotte should be back on track on Saturday for the presentation of the mass start event.