Cross-country skiing: a first week at the forefront for the French team
On Sunday afternoon, the first week of competitions at the world cross-country skiing championships in Trondheim (Norway) came to a close in style with a women’s skiathlon that came down to a matter of centimetres between Ebba Andersson and Therese Johaug.
A few hours after the end of the third day of events, Alexandre Rousselet, head of the French team’s World Cup group, was able to draw up an initial assessment of the French performances. Despite the disappointment of failing to come within a whisker of a medal in the sprint skate with Jules Chappaz and Lucas Chanavat last Thursday, the Doubs-based skier was pleased with the performances of his protégés in the men’s skiathlon.
“It was very satisfying in the skiathlon. Mathis [Desloges] was particularly impressive in the men’s race. He finished sixth at the Worlds when he was still only a U23, he told the FFS. To finish like that with the very best proves his potential and we know there’s still plenty of room for improvement. It’s interesting for the near and distant future.”
The same goes for Hugo Lapalus and Jules Lapierre, who finished eleventh and nineteenth respectively on Saturday: “Hugo livened up the race, particularly in the classic, despite having a few problems with his grip. Jules also reassured himself after having a few problems in the classics up to now,” he added.
“It’s really encouraging for the 50 kilometres”Alexandre Rousselet to the FFS about Flora Dolci
“On the women’s side, we only had Flora, who put up a good fight. She struggled to get going. Then she was able to react in the skating. Admittedly, the result was a long way from the podium, but she still put up a good fight in the skateboarding, says the former French coach. She gained places and also took time away from girls like Jessie Diggins and Victoria Carl. It’s really encouraging for the 50 kilometres.”
While Monday will be devoted to rest, the hostilities will resume on Tuesday with the individual classics, where the Tricolores will have a great chance to shine. The team events will also be in the sights of the French clan.
“We have ideas for the line-up but we never define our stint until the day before the race. This may be because of the strategies we have to opt for depending on the weather and the track. We also have the advantage of having several boys to put together a good relay, he says. But they’ll all be ready to give it their all for this event, which will be a very important collective objective. As far as the sprint team is concerned, we’ll undoubtedly have one of the best teams lining up at Worlds for the French clan. We can’t wait.”
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- “I’ve released a lot of pressure”: fifteenth in the skiathlon at the World Championships, Flora Dolci made a successful start in Trondheim
- Trondheim: Ebba Andersson beats Therese Johaug to the line to win skiathlon gold, Flora Dolci in the top 15
- Trondheim Worlds: a fall that could have cost Jonna Sundling dearly, bronze medallist in the skiathlon
- Trondheim: a tragedy for Norway in the skiathlon at the Worlds
- Trondheim: in the skiathlon, the Finns recorded their second worst ever World Championship race
- Trondheim: the state of mind of the French before the skiathlon
- Trondheim: Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo new world skiathlon champion, Mathis Desloges fantastic sixth
- Trondheim: William Poromaa finishes the skiathlon too quickly
- Trondheim: Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo gives Norway the 70th world title in its history
- Iivo Niskanen calls it a day at the Trondheim Worlds
- “I’m already looking forward to the next race”: sixth in the skiathlon at the World Championships, Mathis Desloges finished 9 tenths away from a medal.
- Offensive and eleventh in the skiathlon at the Worlds, Hugo Lapalus wanted to be out in front in Trondheim: “I had to try today”.
- “Klæbo has broken the curse”, “Absolutely incredible”, “A gift on home soil”: the Norwegian press was ecstatic after Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo won the skiathlon title at the World Championships.
- Already a silver medallist in the sprint, Federico Pellegrino came close to another big win at the Trondheim World Championships.
