KHVOSTENKO Oksana

Emilien Jacquelin has the rare distinction of being both the IBU Junior Pursuit World Champion and IBU Pursuit World Champion, a rare feat. Those titles sum up both Jacquelin’s talent and his reputation as a relentless competitor. He could be characterized at the “thinking man’s biathlete,” explaining his pursuit success, “I am a person who loves one-day races. When you are focused on one thing you can be very strong, like this is “the Day.” Just mark a day I want to be there and you do it.”

After a solid junior career and seasoning on the IBU Cup circuit, he moved to the BMW IBU World Cup circuit for part of 2017/18 season. Fifth and sixth places at Antholz sealed a spot on the French Olympic Team for Pyeongchang 2018 where he got a start in the 20 km individual and the men’s relay. He learned some hard lessons about living up to his unquestionable potential in the 2018/2019 season, finishing 24th place in the World Cup Total Score.

The 2019/20 season saw potential fulfilled. Jacquelin claimed his first individual podium at Hochfilzen in what else, the pursuit, adding two more before the 2020 IBU World Championships in Antholz. In a thrilling battle with JT Boe, Jacquelin went deep into his memory, pulling up cycling tactics to get the edge on his Norwegian foe and take his first IBU WCH Pursuit title, as well as the Mass Start Bronze medal. A brilliant leadoff leg helped key the French victory in the men’s relay, Jacquelin left Antholz with four medals.  Eight podiums that season and the World Cup Pursuit Score globe capped a more than successful season. However, he was most delighted about sharing two podiums with his great friend, mentor and training partner Martin Fourcade, who retired at the end of the season.

The Villard de Lans resident’s momentum stalled a bit in the 2020/21 season, with top 10 results and just two early podiums, unsurprisingly both in pursuits. Once again though, Jacquelin rose to the occasion at the IBU World Championships, defending his World Championship title with blazing fast 20-for-20 shooting and total focus. “This year I knew after the sprint I knew that I was already focused on the pursuit… I just told myself to keep calm and just think about the work and not about results.  To make a great race like this is hard to do every time…”

While training for the 2021/22 season, Jacquelin suffered a severely broken wrist that required surgery while interrupting his training for six weeks.

Jacquelin is known for his thoughtful comments on his career, confidence, respect for teammates and foes and witty comments on social media.