Biathlon Ruhpolding World Cup: Yvon Mougel’s debriefing | Nordic Mag | #1 Biathlon
Biathlon: Ruhpolding World Cup as seen by Yvon Mougel
throughout the winter, will brief a retired French biathlete Nordic magazine Different stages of the World Cup, as well as Oberhof Worlds (Germany). It is the turn of the Vosges Yvon MougelThe first world medalist in the French biathlon, in February 1981 Lahti (Finland), to start back Ruhpolding World Cup (Germany).
Fact of the week: individual, the original format of biathlon is still on the calendar
“I really liked the Rupolding stage because there were 20 kilometers [15 kilomètres pour les féminines, NDLR]. We tend to forget it today, but this is the original biathlon event, and it has since become a more spectacular event. [avec les formats en confrontation]. The origin of biathlon is still this competition, where the biathlete finds himself alone in front of him to find a balance between the control of the shots and the physical effort. I understand that there hasn’t been much evolution for a biathlete between now and my time. The only thing worth noting is the race time, because in the 1980s we did this 20 kilometers in classic style in about 1 hour 10! That’s why the shot mattered, as the foul remained a penalty minute. »
“It’s an exciting competition because it’s so open and therefore gives a wider range of athletes the opportunity to shine. With huge screens and information on the track, athletes understand their place in the hierarchy faster than before, but we don’t take the punishment immediately. That’s why I’m glad to see this format still in the World Cup, because it’s the root of biathlon. I will be a little sad to see the individual disappear one day. »
Observation of the week: the last ball is still difficult to return
“When you watch biathlon, you directly analyze the progress of the race. On the other hand, the biathlete doesn’t have all this information, and I find that all of them allow us to get trapped by the outcome and the environment, whereas the biathlete’s strength is to completely isolate himself, to be in an airtight bubble. , thinking only of the action, not the result. This is something that hasn’t changed since my time. I have done many firsts in my career and experienced what today’s athletes go through in mass starts. Biathlon means you have to have an almost perfect race to win, and when you hit the limit in a shot, you try, and when you try, there’s a greater chance of failure. »
Highlight of the week: Sophie Chauveau’s missed assignment
“He was in the relay at the World Cup for the first time. I don’t know if I should put him in third place, but he started at the top of the race with Marte Olsbu Roeiseland… It’s not easy! He would have reached the launch pad 20 seconds earlier or later, maybe it could have happened otherwise. Sofia [Chauveau], he was on the defensive and therefore in an inferior position in relation to what he had to do. It was her first time and I totally understand. He will help her later. »
“The relationship between technique and mind is so important in biathlon, people don’t realize the strength it takes to forget context. »
Frenchmen of the week: Eric Perrot and Lou Jeanmonnot
“I know his father well. [Franck Perrot, NDLR] because I had trained him! What he is doing is good. Young people today, when things don’t go well, can come back to start over, as he did earlier in the year. I also saved Lou Jeanmonnot’s performances. He finished on the podium in the individual race, then did well in the mass start before falling back a bit. But after two races with clear rounds, it makes perfect sense. It is a force that will continue to rise for me! I smell Lou [Jeanmonnot] quite mature and reserved. He looks solid. »
Debate of the week: Should Quentin Fillon-Maillet have taken a break?
“We see Johannes Thingnes Boe as very strong at the moment. In terms of career management, he was able to take a step back by skipping the World Championship last year. He left the start of the season to prepare for the Olympics, where he won several times before putting the brakes on his recovery at the end of the winter. Unlike Quentin Filon-Maillet, he came in completely fresh earlier this year. I wonder if he shouldn’t have thought like Johannes, but I’m not worried about him. He has experience, but despite this, unlike my time, he owes results. It’s a spiral of hell that kicks in when you don’t succeed. It’s not easy for athletes to manage, although sometimes it can be a source of motivation. »
Star of the week: Julia Simon
“Julia [Simon], he is on his way. He’s tried everything in recent years, and with headshots, he’s calm and glowing. Perhaps the change of coaches was the trigger, in addition to the fact that his pitching was so good. He really impresses me with his consistency. He started well, but it’s like shooting, he needs to focus on each race, not the result. Otherwise, it will be in defensive mode and will be less efficient. »
Question of the week: Did Julia Simon ever win a big crystal globe?
“No, not played! This year, the awarding of points has been changed. [Elvira] Oeberg ran away due to illness [dimanche lors de la mass-start, NDLR]but it can also be with Julia [Simon] Due to a virus caught at home or in a hotel in March. The worst is the disease, because you can’t do anything about it, and unlike racing, it’s not just a sport. Considering the whole season, for me it better reflects the regularity of running throughout the winter. »
