Jacquelin: I don't even know what to expect from myself

French biathlete Émilien Jacquelin shared his thoughts on his form at the start of the season and talked about the positions he aims to compete for.

The 28-year-old athlete was quoted by Biathlonworld.

- You set a high pace right from the start; was that part of your strategy?

- Yes, I saw this race as a rehearsal before the sprint. I tried to focus only on my performance and not consider my opponents. I put a lot of energy into the first two laps, so I found it quite tough in the last one.

But I believe my form is good now. Yes, the shooting wasn't perfect, but overall, it's a good path to compete for the podium next week.

- Do you see any encouraging signs for future performances?

- I'm used to not knowing what to expect from myself—whether it's fighting for the podium or perhaps just aiming for the top 20. I was in the top 5 for skiing in the individual race. In the mixed relay, I felt good battling on the track with Johannes Boe. Today, I also felt good, showed good skiing.

I think I can focus on aiming for the highest positions in the overall standings, but to gain the necessary confidence, I need to improve my standing shooting. I feel that my form is getting better every day, - said Jacquelin.

Recall that the French team finished second in the men's relay, while in the individual race, Jacquelin, once considered the heir to the great Martin Fourcade, only managed the 27th time. In today's sprint, Émilien secured the 24th spot, trailing the leader by almost two minutes but still holds promising chances for higher placements in tomorrow's pursuit.