Stephane Bouthiaux: "Season 5 star, but someone could do even better!"

In recent days the head coach of the France team biathlon Stephane Bouthiaux released un''intervista portal nordicmag.info he looked at the recently ended season, drawing with absolute sincerity the budget of each athlete and discussed Europe's future. Here are his remarks.

Saturday 22 April 2017 6 minutes reading time

"If I have to evaluate our winter, then I have to judge it at 5 stars. In the World Cup we got 50 podiums in 66 races, coming in the top three in almost all the relays. Truly remarkable. Overall, we broke all our records, except for that of the medals at the World Championships. But the edition of Oslo in 2016 was simply unique. I've said it once twelve months ago and I confirm: I highly doubt we will ever come back to win 11 medals. In Hochfilzen, however they arrived 8, are certainly not few, and we have taken great satisfaction. In particular it fills me with 'pride in the fact that France has been the' only nation capable of going to medal in all three relays. If we speak of individuals, Martin Fourcade turned in a stunning season. Since only it took us 22 podiums and 14 wins, including a World Championship gold. There are no adjectives to describe his performance was absolutely huge. As for other people, we expected more consistency. This is true for everyone. Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Jean-Guillaume BÃ©atrix, Simon Desthieux and Simon Fourcade. The early winter results were very encouraging, but aside from Quentin, climbed the podium twice, are a bit '' disappointed by others. In general, it missed something at the shooting range, because the pace in the bottom of each one was great. It must be said that with the 'arrival of Franck Badiou instead of Sigfried Mazet we changed method of shooting and we had reckoned a drop in rates. It is a job in the medium term is set and we hope that the fruits are harvested in winter. For this reason we look to the future with optimism. Moving on to the women's sector, we had an excellent medium quality. The entry of Justine Braisaz world elite was only a matter of time. We were not sure she would be able to reach certain levels already this season, ipotizzavamo could wait another year rather have it done right away. The it lacked a bit '' of regularity, but the fact of seeing already in 6th place in the overall standings of the World Cup is exceptional. If you were to confirm its growth, then the next winter would become un''atleta to beat in each race. It's amazing the 'Anais Chevalier explosion. To be honest, no one would have bet on such a constancy of results from him. The first podium has triggered something in my head, since that time has had a huge improvement. His 7th place overall is sensational. Even Celia Aymonier has grown a lot. The day you will find regularly at the shooting range in the top 5 in the world, I am sure! Clearly his situation is different, comes from the cross-country skiing and shooting is built. With a season of work in the next year will rise for the first time on the podium. Instead, they took extra effort the two veterans. Anais Bescond had a tough winter, little to say. Marie Dorin Habert instead finished 4th overall standings, but she aspired to something more. In the fall she was convinced that she can win the World Cup and at least one gold Mondale. Certainly the final budget is not bad, but we expected higher. In the light of the overall level held by the team we will not make big changes ahead of 2017-'18. In particular, I believe that women can improve even more than this year. Now for all of the priority will be to work profitably during the summer. "

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