Interview with Vincent Defrasne

Just some hours after his great victory in the sprint of Oberhof we made an interview with Vincent Defrasne and asked him about his career, the Olympics and family.

How does it feel to be the winner of a World Cup race ?
Of course I'm really happy, because I think I've done a really good race. I was full of hope for these races in Oberhof and I made a good preparation to be in good shape here and it happened, so I'm really happy.

I suppose you are very pleased with your season at this point !?
Yeah, it's behind my hopes because I wanted to make podiums, but I didn't really think it'll come and that it'll happen at the beginning of the season. It's fun and yes I'm really happy.

What's possible in Olympic races ?
I think it's a lot possible, because I feel that I made progress. I wanted to make it and now it's done. For sure I can be now on the top, but I know this will not happen in every race and there'll be again poor and difficult races. But I made progress and I think I'm well prepared for the Olympics and I can make a medal. What I want is one medal in individual races and one with the relay. Every colour is ok for me !

How's the atmosphere in the team ?
It's nice. It's different than the other years because it's a new season, but it's really ok. Everyone wants to be cool and everyone wants to make progress for the relay and for each other and yes it's a good atmosphere !

What do you think or feel before the race ?
It's always different, sometimes I'm nervous and sometimes I'm more cool. This morning I was stressed because of the fog and the delaying, but when I knew that the competition will take place it was ok and I made my job as usual.

Have you got an ritual ?
Yes, it's … I don't want to speak about it (laughs) ! It's something I make in my head. For sure it's not always the same, because I feel not the same every day, but it's something I repeat in my head. It's a mental preparation !

Was today the best moment of your career so far ?
Maybe not the best, because a lot of things were good like the medal in Olympics in Salt Lake and I've other good things, for instance when training was nice with all the team. It's not the best, but one of the best !

Until now you were mostly in the shade of Raphael. Do you think something will change, like more pressure from the medias or from the fans ?
Yes, of course something will change, especially because we're near the Olympics and of course everybody is really attentive and everybody is watching the results and I'll be more awaited for positions, but I know it's like this and so it's not a problem.

What do you think is the reason that Biathlon in contrary to cycling or cross-country is free of doping ?
We don't know if it is free of doping ! We suppose, because we had Raphael the best of all, we know that he's not doped and it's the same with Sandrine. I don't know how to explain; maybe it's not in the culture of the sport. Maybe there is doping, but not a lot and it's hard to know who and when.

What do you think about the changes in Biathlon, like Show-races and night-races ?
I like this, because it's fun to race, but I would not be happy if it's always like that, because we've to keep Biathlon like the traditional Biathlon.
To make changes for the show is nice, but we've to keep the big rules of Biathlon. Sometimes a race in the night is ok, but not all the time, this will be a real problem ! In the night it's not a problem to race, but to rest afterwards. When you race at 5 o'clock you've difficulties, because you don't have much time to have a good meal or something else.

Have you got an idol ?
No, sorry ! (laughs) There are many persons, I like a lot, but nobody special.

What about family and kids ?
We hope to have children soon. It's a problem, because I'm always far away and she has to work a lot. She's a doctor and has just finished studying, so it's a lot of hard work for her. It's a hard decision !

Interview made by Anne Gassner & Karolin Hemp in January 2006