Vincent Defrasne

Vincent Defrasne was born on 9 March 1977 in Pontalier, France. He is a retired biathlete. His first year in the sport was 1995 and he made his World Cup debut on 8 January 1999. His first World Championships were shortly after his first appearance in the World Cup in Kontiolahti in 1999. Defrasne competed in three events - the sprint where was 57th, the pursuit - 51st and the relay - 12th. This first try on the World Cup tour left him 70th in the overall. The following three World Championships in Holmenkollen, Lahti and Pokljuka, Defrasne succeeded in winning one gold medal in the relay in 2001 in Pokljuka. And as an individual best result from all three World Championships is a 7th place in the 12.5 km pursuit in 2001 in Pokljuka. Defrasne's first breakthrough occurred in Pokljuka in 2001-2002 when he placed 3rd in the 20 km Individual. Later in Oberhof, he came 2nd in the 15 km mass start. That season, Defrasne took part in his first Olympic Games in February 2002 in Salt Lake City. He won his first Olympic medal - a bronze with the relay. In the other events, Defrasne was 37th in the Individual, 21st in the sprint and 18th in the pursuit. Finished the season 12th in the overall. After the Olympics, he didn't make any impression at the following World Championships in Khanty-Mansiysk in 2003. His best result was 4th in the Individual. In the other disciplines came 17th in the sprint, 18th in the mass start and 13th with the relay. He concluded the season at number 17 in the overall. Next World Championships were in Oberhof in 2004. Defrasne won a bronze medal with the relay. Finished 20th in the Individual, 6th in the sprint and mass start and 4th in the pursuit. In the end, Defrasne achieved one of his best overall finishes - 7th. The 2005-2006 was the most successful season in his career, It began with a 2nd place in the pursuit in Östersund and then later in Oberhof, Defrasne won his first World Cup race - the 10 km sprint. But the highlight in his entire career is yet to come. In February 2006 were the Olympics in Turin. During the 12.5 km pursuit Vincent Defrasne caught up in the final meters before the finish line, the great Ole Einar Bjørndalen and Defrasne finished first. He won the gold medal in the pursuit. A couple of days later, Defrasne won the bronze medal with the relay team alongside 'Ferreol Cannard', 'Julien Robert' and Raphael Poirée. In the other discipline, Defrasne finished 4th in the sprint and 11th in the mass start. Until the end of the season, Defrasne came twice 4th in the sprint and pursuit in Holmenkollen. The 2005-2006 concluded with much emotions and joy at number 6 in the overall. During 2006-2007, Defrasne achieved a 2nd place in the mass start and 3rd in the pursuit in Pokljuka. At the World Championships in Antholz-Anterselva he won two medals - a silver in the mixed relay and a bronze in the pursuit. Was 16th in the sprint, 11th in the mass start and 10th in the relay. In 2007-2008 he made his second World Cup victory. Defrasne won the 20 km Individual in Kontiolahti. At the World Championships in Östersund in 2008, he didn't win any medals. Defrasne was 12th in the Individual, 54th in the sprint, 22nd in the pursuit 7th in the mass start and 5th in the relay. Because of his steady and consistent finishes in the discipline, at the end of the season, Vincent Defrasne took the small crystal globe and his first discipline title for the Individual. During the 2008-2009 season, Defrasne made a solid 4th position in the sprint in Hochfilzen. Later at the World Championships in Pyeongchang in 2009, he won the gold medal with the mixed relay. In the other events was 21st in the Individual, 41st in the sprint, 40th in the pursuit and 4th in the relay. The next season 2009-2010 Defrasne didn't have any memorable individual achievements on the World Cup tour. All his focus and energy were preserved for the upcoming Olympics in Vancouver, the third Games in his career. Defrasne was the flag bearer of France during the opening ceremony. At the Games he wasn't able to repeat his sensational results as those in Turin, 4 years ago. Defrasne finished 26th in the Individual, 53rd in the sprint, 22nd in the pursuit and 6th in the relay. Vincent Defrasne retired from the sport after the end of 2009-2010 season.