He had already endorsed it, for the very first time in his career, on December 18, 2021 by masterfully winning the Pursuit of Grand Bornand (Haute-Savoie) in front of thousands of delighted French supporters. And this prestigious yellow overall leader bib of the biathlon world cup season, Quentin Fillon-Maillet has now been carrying it permanently and proudly on his shoulders since January 9: the start of his impressive series of three straight victories in Germany (Oberhof, then Ruhpolding).
It is therefore crowned with the status of world cup leader that Quentin Fillon-Maillet approaches the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, with the ambition of getting on the podium and even winning gold.
Between these four World Cup successes (five in total this winter, already!), the Franc-Comtois had temporarily lent his golden tunic to the other cador of the Blues, Emilien Jacquelin, the time of two races after the little Christmas break.
Adrenaline and confidence, but also the “mental fatigue”, provided by this famous yellow bib of the patron of world biathlon. This is the explanation put forward by QFM, unusually far from the podiums (20th and 8th) on the Italian round of Anterselva scheduled just before the Beijing Olympics 2022 (February 4 to 20).
But nothing to worry about, reassures Quentin Fillon-Maillet, who left to recharge his batteries and recharge his batteries in his native Jura for a short week until leaving for the Chinese Olympiad… where he openly aims, and more than ever, for the consecration of an individual Olympic gold medal – at least – after his first two experiences at the Olympics.
Useful, studious to discover them as a substitute for the French team in Sochi in 2014, and very frustrating for the ambitious that he was already in 2018 in Pyeongchang (29th, 44th, 48th), unfortunately parasitized in his mind by health concerns which affected his family circle at the time.
Perfecting your shot again and again, summer and winter alike
This winter, the 29-year-old Franc-Comtois is even more solid and consistent on cross-country skis and shooting ranges. Before his small drop in rifle speed in Italy (15/20 and 14/20) at the end of January, the boss of the moment posted an average of 89% of targets knocked over: it has certainly just come down slightly at 87% (84% in prone shooting, 90% in standing shooting), but it’s still more than his records – already very good – of the last three world seasons completed, each time, in 3rd place in the general classification.
Ultra meticulous on the smallest details of all the parameters (technical, physical, mental, equipment, recovery, nutrition) which allow – when everything is well pinned – to climb on one of the three steps of the podiums in biathlon, Quentin Fillon-Maillet has further optimized his approach and practice of shooting (lying down, in particular) during the preparation for the 2022 Olympic pre-season.
An internship of a few days, for example, with the “snipers” of the GIGN. But above all oftireless workouts, at the National Nordic Ski Center of Prémanon (Jura) in particular, supported by the valuable advice from the shooting expert in the staff of the Blues, the Italian Patrick Favre.
Listen to Julien Laurent’s report, with Quentin Fillon-Maillet and Patrick Favre
Quentin Fillon-Maillet’s prize list
- Olympic Games : replacing in 2014 / 29th (Mass Start), 44th (Pursuit), 48th (Sprint) in 2018
- 2 x vice world champion 2020 (Sprint and Mass Start)
- 3 x bronze medalist at the world championships (2019, Sprint and Pursuit / 2021, Mass Start)
- 11 World Cup victories* (including 5 in 2021-2022)
- 25 catwalks in the world cup* (13 x 2nd / 12 x 3rd)
- leader of the general classification of the world cup (as of January 23, 2022), 3x3rd (2019, 2020, 2021), 10th in 2018
- 2 x team world champion 2016 (Mixed Relay) and 2020 (Men’s Relay)
- 2 x vice world champion by team 2017 (Men’s Relay and Mixed Relay)
- Medal of team bronze (Men’s Relay) at the 2015 World Championships
- 22 podiums, including 7 team victories (men’s relay and mixed relay) in the world cup*
* (excluding world championships and Olympic Games)
Quentin Fillon-Maillet’s schedule for the 2022 Beijing Olympics
- Saturday, February 5, 10 a.m.* (French time) = Mixed Relay/4×6 km
- Tuesday, February 8, 9:30 a.m. = Individual-20 km Male
- Saturday, February 12, 10 a.m. = Sprint-10 km Men
- Sunday, February 13, 11:45 a.m. = Pursuit-15 km Men
- Tuesday, February 15, 10 a.m. = Male Relay/4×7.5 km
- Thursday, February 17, 10 a.m. = Mass Start-15 km Male
* French time (+ 7h in Beijing)