20-for-20 with Max Germain

In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Biathlon Union (IBU) 2018 Youth and Junior World Championships in Otepää, Estonia, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 16-year-old Maxime “Max” Germain, who is representing the U.S. at his first World Youth Championships. 

On Friday in Otepää, Germain finished 74th in the youth men’s 7.5 k sprint. He previously placed 70th in the 12.5 k individual on Monday.

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“My full name is Maxime Logan Germain but you can call me Snaxime.

I was born Juneau, Alaska, and raised in France, and I learned to ski in mama’s womb.

I spent the time between World Youth trials and Worlds trying to really focus on my shooting and get better at long distance (10 km and 12.5 km).

The easiest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was world trials in Minnesota with the Alaskan team.

One thing I’m working on this season to improve my biathlon is playing Fortnite .

This my first time in Estonia and my first time racing internationally, and so far it’s been pretty interesting.

One difference I’ve noticed between Estonia and the United States is the lack of Lululemon.

One of the things I’m most excited about for World Youth Championships in Otepää is get a Barilla sponsor.

One race I’m especially targeting there is the pursuit.

Watching the Olympics in the leadup to my own races was spicy. One of my moments of the Games was watching that one French guy kick ass. I want to be like Jessie Diggins, because of perfect technique.

At Worlds, I really hope I can make friends with someone from France and bonjour.

My favorite thing about the breakfast where we are staying are the Polish girls.

Before this trip, if you said “Estonia”, the first thing I’d think of would have been Russia.

Now that I’m here, I’m pretty sure something I’ll always remember will be that everything froze… everything!!

If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it cracking a cold one with the boys, and I am talking about Mountain Dew baby.

The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @maxime.gr, SnapChat: @max.g .”