Interview with Sandrine Bailly

Why have you chosen Biathlon, although this is a rather unpopular sport in France. You say you don't like it if it's cold. Why do you do winter sport ?
I've chosen Biathlon because I like it if the sport claims me very much, although if I don't like the cold, but I've warm clothes. ;-).

Raphael Poirée says that without Biathlon he probably would have become criminal. Has the sport affect your life an a completely different direction ? What would you do without Biathlon ?
If I wouldn't do the sport my life would be different, of course. But I don't know how. Without the sport I wouldn't have become a criminal, I would be an woman like everyone else who goes to school to study and find work afterwards … I'd like to be a person who's different than the rest.

Were you able to live a "normal" life of a teenager, although you had to train a lot ?
Not very much. In my youth I wasn't often at parties. I was solitary and very shy.

Is it hard to get to know new people as an athlete ?
In winter it's a bit more difficult because we travel a lot during competitions, but otherwise it's no problem.

Is it possible to live good from Biathlon in France ?
If you have a contract with the army or the custom it's no problem and if you've sponsors it's better.
I live well from my sport, because I'm at the military and I've good sponsors. But many athletes have no chance for a contract and it's hard for them to continue with the sport. That's harming !

Did you have to pay for your equipment sometimes ?
No, I've sponsors like Madshus form y ski, Salomon for my boots and binding, Bollé for my glasses and Swix for my Gloves and poles. I just had to buy the rifle. How many pairs of ski do you posses ? How long do you use a pair ? What happens with them if you don't use them anymore ?
I've about 15 or 20 pairs of ski. I use them between 1 till 3 years. Then I give them back to my sponsor Madshus who passes them to the clubs.

How many weeks a year do you not train ?
About 5 weeks.

What do you train exactly ? Just skiing and shooting, or also different things ?
Not only skiing and shooting, there also exist roller ski ;-) But also bike, running and I train the muscular system. That's different.

How runs a normal competition day ?
At a normal competition day, what's normally, I arrive at the stadium, test my ski, then the shooting and at least I warm up and wait for my start.

What do you think or feel directly before the start of a race ?
Nothing, I think nothing before the start.

A lot of times you had problems with your rifle. What do you think or feel in such a moment ? Do you become panic or are you sad ?
It's always terrible if you have technical problems with your material because that destroys the race. But nevertheless I'm rather relaxed.

What was your best race and you most beautiful moment in your career ?
My most beautiful moment in my career was the pursuit in Khanty-Mansisk 2003 and most of all the place on podium. My best race was the pursuit in Osrblie in December 2003 because I started first and I arrived first.

What are your aims for the next seasons ?
My aims are podiums in World Cup in Individual and Relay and medals at WCH in Hochfilzen. What do you think about the Mixed-Relay this year in Khanty-Mansisk ?
I think it's good to try that.

What do you think is the reason that Biathlon is unlike other sports doping free ?
I think there are cheaters in every sport and also certainly in Biathlon. But it's reported less than in other sports like cross-country or cycling.

What are your biggest weaknesses ?
I'm voracious and sometimes not very rational.

Are the spectators before or during a competition a problem ? For example giving autographs or the cheering during shooting ?
Sometimes before or after a race. Unfortunately I haven't the time to answer all spectators who want an autograph, but if I've the time it's no problem. At shooting the noise of the fans doesn't disturb.

What do your fans mean for you ? Are there differences between the fans ?
I love my fans and all Biathlon fans in general because they make fun and it's fun for me to make them fun. It's a change.

The Biathlon fans like you very much because you're always nice and lovely to them. Is that sometimes difficult ?
No, that's normal and that's not difficult.

Your sister Annelise is a biathlete, too. Would you like to be successful together with her ?
I hope that sometimes we can be together in a relay in World Cup and reach the podium. That would be fantastic !!!

What means your family for you ? Is it difficult to be so long away from them during a season ?
My family is very important because they are a steady and sure support for me. It's not difficult to be away from them because I love what I do and if I want I can telephone to them.

Do you want children later ?
I want children when I get them. I don't have planned a fixed time.

What's your biggest dream or wish ?
That the whole world is happy.

How would you characterize yourself ?
I'm an optimistic and naturally sunny, but shy and reserved if I don't know anyone.

Interview made by Anne Gassner & Karolin Hemp in October 2004