The Frenchman made a good comeback during the continuation of Pokljuka, Slovenia, Saturday January 7, to hang second place. This is his first winter podium.
by Valentin Moinard
The black series stops for Quentin Fillon Maillet. Deprived of podium during the first eight individual races of the 2022-2023 season, the Frenchman obtained second place, Saturday January 7, during the continuation of Pokljuka (Slovenia). Very fast on skis, Quentin Fillon Maillet was also precise in the face of the targets (19/20), to afford a return to the front of the stage. The fact remains that his performance was not enough to go for first place, kept guarded by Johannes Boe this season. Again far above the lot, the Norwegian won more than a minute ahead of the competition. All by relaxing his effort during the last round.
“It sorely lacks energy on skis. It is frustrating, when we were used to beautiful places last year, to have trouble fighting,” said Quentin Fillon Maillet, at the microphone of The L’Equipe chain, following a sprint ended at a disappointing ninth place. Far from the best, and especially of Johannes Boe, the French also seemed to have mortgaged his chances for the prosecution (during which the runners rush with the delays recorded compared to the winner at the arrival of the Sprint race).
A frustrating situation for Quentin Fillon Maillet, author of an extraordinary winter 2021-2022, which he had finished with two Olympic titles and a crystal globe, rewarding the winner of the general classification of the World Cup. During the continuation of Pokljuka, the Frenchman built his rise in turn after turn, shooting after shooting, only missing a ball during his last standing shot.
end of series for Norway
On the contrary, his two rivals Sturla Lægreid (fourth) and Tommaso Giacomel (fifth) were more imprecise at the end of the race, each missing two balls. A golden opportunity that Quentin Fillon Maillet did not pass, who therefore finishes on the podium alongside Johannes Boe, and his big brother Tarjei (third).
“It feels good. Finally a podium, finally real sensations on skis. We had to fight until the end. It was top, a treat” told the chain l’Equipe After the race. If her performance does not allow her to put an end to the supremacy of the Cadet of the Boe brothers, she at least has the merit of (slightly) upset the domination of the Norwegians. Over the last three individual races, Johannes Boe and his compatriots had always managed to sign a hat -trick. This time, they must “satisfy” the first, third, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth places …