Eric Perrot kicked off the summer rollerski biathlon season with a victory over Sturla Holm Laegreid in the Blink Super Sprint, a scenario the Frenchman hopes will become the norm, possibly leading him to the big Crystal Globe and more next winter.

Regarding his Blink success, “I went there to do the best possible, so I was expecting to have great results and some good training. I was focusing on the things I have to do, especially shooting. Blink is almost all about having great shooting.”

“Norwegian guys are strong, the team to beat”

Racing against the Norwegians was an important part of his plan. “It was good to race against the Norwegian guys because they are strong, the team to beat next winter. It is really good training to go many races against them…Blink was an opportunity to see especially in shooting if I could improve some things. Of course, I can always improve, but it was a great start: a time to hunt under pressure, shoot fast, and have the feel of competition. You always want to do well racing against the best Norwegians.”

“Biathlon never ends before the finish line!”

Perrot called battling and beating Laegreid in the last 100 meters of the super sprint, “very special because I was in the lead the whole race and then was a bit too tired to finish the job. When he came back, I had to do my best to not be second after leading the whole race. It was a great fight and a great lesson: to run for the win. Biathlon never ends before the finish line!”

That scenario is one that the young French star expects to repeat. “I hope to battle him next winter. I am training for that. I feel I will be able to do it. I had good progress. I am better this summer than last summer. I will have many opportunities to go against him and hope we can both do great.”

Closing the Gap

Laegreid had a slight advantage last season, a gap Perrot hopes to close down. “Last season I was good on the shooting range as well as the skis. I think I just need to be a little bit better. Last season, he was a little more consistent over the whole year, especially on the range and at the beginning of the season. I think that I can be better every year, because I am younger than him! Last season was a good learning experience, to be able to fight with him. This season, I will be more prepared and ready for the whole year.”

World Cup Total Score, “My dream, my big goal”

Finishing third in the Total Score behind Laegreid boosted the 24-year-old’s confidence that he could win this season. “I have always expected a lot from myself. Last season, I was not good enough to take the overall. It is realistic to be looking towards taking the first position. That has been my dream, my big goal. I feel I can touch it this winter.”

Beyond Laegreid and himself, Perrot sees Tommy Giacomel, Sebastian Samuelsson and Martin Uldal all battling for seasonal supremacy. “We are all young and in the beginning of our career. We all have several years in the World Cup. The level is close between us; we will all have the opportunity. The question is: who will take it? It will be a very interesting fight.”

The key: “high level of focus every day”

The key to taking the Yellow Bib is, “being on a really high training level every day. Summer is much like the winter season. Every day is training; you have to be focused every day. The season is the same with races every two days; you have to be prepared for this and maintain the level high. I do this all summer: a high level of focus every day in every task I do. Doing this in the summer will bring me the same in the winter.

Total Score and Olympic Gold

Besides winning the World Cup Total Score, Perrot makes it crystal clear an Olympic Gold medal is also in his sights. “You know the answer! I want both, of course, because it is possible and realistic, especially since last season I was able to compete for the overall podium and win a World Championships Gold medal. The Olympics are something really special because it is every four years.”

Photos: IBU/Marius Nordnes, Vianney Thibaut, Nordic Focus