Eric Perrot claimed victory at the men’s mass start competition during the World Cup event held on March 15, 2025, at Pokljuka, Slovenia. The young French biathlete, just 23 years old, outpaced his compatriot Quentin Fillon-Maillet to secure the win amid challenging weather conditions.
The race, which started at 15:45 CET, saw competitors battle rainy and snow-covered tracks, leading to slower overall times. Perrot, who finished with one penalty, completed the course with an impressive time of 35 minutes, 42.7 seconds. Fillon-Maillet also faced obstacles, incurring one penalty and finishing just 3.1 seconds behind. Sturla Laegreid from Norway rounded out the podium, securing third place with one penalty as well and finishing 22.3 seconds off the pace.
Earlier on the same day, Lou Jeanmonnot won the women's mass start, which set the stage for the men's competition and showcased the prowess of the French biathlon team. Jeanmonnot noted after her race, "Peut-être l'une des mass starts les plus lentes que j'ai disputées", reflecting on the challenging conditions.
A total of five French athletes managed to finish within the top ten of the men’s race, highlighting the team's strong performance. Aside from the top three, Fabien Claude placed fourth, followed by Jasper Nelin from Sweden, and Martin Uldal of Norway. Claude faced one penalty but secured his position well.
Below are the full results of the mass start race:
1. Eric Perrot (1 penalty) 35'42''7
2. Quentin Fillon-Maillet (1 penalty) +3''1
3. Sturla Laegreid (Norway, 1 penalty) +22''3
4. Fabien Claude (1 penalty) +44''0
5. Jasper Nelin (Sweden, 1 penalty) +1'14''9
6. Martin Uldal (Norway, 2 penalties) +1'18''0
7. Niklas Hartweg (Switzerland, 1 penalty) +1'23''2
8. Tarjei Boe (Norway, 2 penalties) +1'26''0
9. Antonin Guigonnat (0 penalties) +1'30''5
10. Emilien Jacquelin (1 penalty) +1'32''9
This victory launched Perrot to third place overall, with 797 points, behind Sturla Laegreid, who leads the standings with 1071 points, and Johannes Boe, who remains second, albeit missing this event due to health issues.
Post-race, Fillon-Maillet expressed his admiration for Perrot, stating, "C'est vraiment cool de se retrouver en face-à-face pour la victoire avec un collègue, et de jouer avec Éric." His words reflect the camaraderie and competitive spirit within the French biathlon team.
With just three races remaining this season, all eyes are now on the final stage at Oslo-Holmenkollen, scheduled from March 21 to 23, 2025, where the top competitors will vie for the coveted Crystal Globe. The event will also mark the farewell of Norwegian legends Tarjei and Johannes Boe, compelling the IBU to adjust the competition schedule to highlight this significant moment.
Eric Perrot, feeling confident after his win, remarked, "Je suis en forme : il faut l'utiliser. La semaine a été dure mentalement," recognizing the challenges faced leading up to this pivotal race. His performances have not only improved his standing but also raised expectations for the French team as they approach the season's climax.
The upcoming Oslo-Holmenkollen stage will be highly anticipated, as competitors will aim to consolidate their standings and make any final pushes for points before the season draws to a close. The current excitement surrounding the event promises to be electrifying as athletes prepare to give their all for the remaining races.