Philipp Horn in some ways had the competition of his life today, equaling his second-best career result, fourth place in the Milano Cortina Men’s 15 km Mass Start. 19-of-20 shooting put him in Bronze medal position as he left for last 3 km loop, but Quentin Fillon Maillet passed the German on the last uphill. Extremely disappointed at what could have been, Horn lamented, “Fourth place at the Olympics means nothing.”

Horn who had his only career podium this season, third in the Hochfilzen Sprint was, “surprised after the third shooting that I’m so far in front that I am able to fight for the medals. I was really satisfied with my performance at the shooting range today. When I went out of the stadium, I was ready to fight for the third place. But I have to admit that Fillon Maillet is at another level right now. He passed me so easily and I was fighting for my life. It was impressive how he opened the gap.”

“I had no chance”

The tough Huber Alm uphill was Horn’s breaking point. “The uphill at the Huber Alm is I think Fillon Maillet’s favorite part of the track. He is so strong with his one-by-one technique: so easy. He flies up this hill. I had no chance.”

“She was proud of me”

Despite his utter disappointment, some kind words from his wife Antonia offered some consolation. “She’s maybe the best part in my life. She told me she was proud of me anyway. It doesn’t matter, At that moment I was disappointed for sure, but it’s perfect to have the family here. Having my wife here is amazing.”

“I will not get a chance again”

Although he fought hard and had family support, Horn had trouble feeling anything other than full of loss. “At this moment it is disappointment. It’s my last Olympic race. It was my last chance. I will not get a chance again. If it was a World Cup race, I would be really happy about my performance today, great on the shooting range. I kept calm, relaxed and did my job but on the last loop, I was not strong enough and, in the end…a fourth place that was worth nothing.”

Someday, Philipp may look back on today with pride, but today winning the proverbial “chocolate medal” left him beyond simply disappointed.

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Ola Wizor, Nordic Focus