Fabien Claude is the middle brother of a trio of talented biathletes who have won medals at every level of the sport from the IBU YJWCH to the Olympic Winter Games. Coming into the past weekend in Hochfilzen, Fabien was in a four-year individual podium dry spell, dating back to third place in the 2021 Hochfilzen Sprint. Ten perfect shots last Friday ended that with third in the same competition. On Sunday, he led off the first-ever French men’s relay victory in Hochfilzen, wrapping up a very successful weekend at the Austrian venue.

Before he hopped in the team van for the trip to his home World Cup in Le Grand Bornand, Fabien answered our five burning questions and revealed something about his Christmas Break plans.

Biathlonworld: It has been 4 years since that last podium here in Hochfilzen, what was the difference this week, was it more than just clean shooting?

Fabien Claude: I think the level in the past four years have increased a lot. We have more density with the starting group. It is hard to make a lot of differences on the track. I was only the sixth-fastest skier in the sprint. My shape was good, but now I know that to be on the podium, I have to be zero in good conditions without wind. I hope to do this again in Le Grand Bornand.

BW: What were your goals for the weekend when you came to Hochfilzen?

FC: My goal was to continue what I have worked for: clean shooting. I worked pretty hard this summer to have this in my sprint, because last year was tough for me in sprint races. I am happy it is already a success.

BW: Who was more excited with you being third, you or your brothers?

FC: I do not know but it really sometimes difficult because we are three. It is very rare when all of us brothers have success in a race. They were disappointed with their sprints, but with my performance, they were happy. Si it was a happy family at the end.

BW: Did you do anything differently in you summer training that gave you more confidence coming into the new season?

FC: I went to the beach a lot to enjoy the sun. (Laughing), it helped me be confident on the shooting range.

BW: What is your advice for others who have a nice collection of individual “chocolate medals” and hoping to move up one or two spots in the results?

FC: Just continue to believe in yourself. I have been in a lot of Flower Ceremonies. I was close many times but now I hope I can reach the podium more than the Flowers now.

Biathlonworld Bonus Question: What are you looking most forward to over the Christmas Break?

Fabien Claude: To be at home with my family, with my girlfriend; It’s going to be some nice moments. I know that we are out of our house for long times in winter. Three weeks being gone is a long time. I do not have any kids now, but I can imagine how hard it is to leave them at home.

Photos: IBU/Yevenko, Nordic Focus/Christian Manzoni, Leo Authamayou