Cross-country skiing: “It’s a crazy trajectory”, says Lucas Chanavat
This Saturday, Lucas Chanavat won the skate sprint of the cross-country skiing world cup in Davos (Switzerland). Barely three weeks after returning to training following a stress fracture sustained during his preparation, the Bornandin skier put in a perfect day to claimthe fifth World Cup victory of his career. He spoke to Nordic Magazine about his winning day.
- What does this success mean to you?
It means a lot. I’d really come a long, long way. It was totally unexpected, and frankly, it’s just too good to be true. When you’re in that situation, it’s a huge surprise, even for me. To be able to come back to this level, to be back on skis. I’m just happy.
- Last week in Trondheim, you didn’t make it past the qualifiers in the classics. Now, in skateboarding, you’ve set the fastest qualifying time. Did you expect to be at this level?
No, not particularly. I’d trained for it, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting to set the fastest time. Above all, I said to myself: if I’m going to do this, it’s to win it. This week, I didn’t have incredible sensations, so I thought maybe it was the altitude that had upset me a bit, and that would change this weekend. I was really concentrating on the manner, not the result. The basic objective was just to make the cut. When I was announced in the lead at the intermediary it gave me a boost. I said to myself: “Come on, let’s go, I’m going to win it”. And in the end, it went really well.
“Given where I’d come from, I had no idea how my body would react”.Lucas Chanavat at Nordic Magazine
- And you decide to take the first watch with Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo, as usual.
It all came together quite naturally. All the others really respected the first quarter, and we found ourselves in the classic configuration with Johannes. As a result, I didn’t even have to ask myself any questions. Given where I’d come from, I had no idea how my body would react. In the quarter, I said to myself: “We have to get through this quarter”. And it responded really well. What’s more, coming out of Johannes like that was a big surprise.
- It’s bound to open doors…
Yes, but that’s precisely what I didn’t want to do. When Klæbo is gone, there’s obviously a huge opportunity. But I said to myself: first the semi-final, then the final. I really took things step by step. The semi-final went really well, I felt good. I was happy, but still focused on the next stage.
- How did you feel about the final?
I said to myself that it could come down to the kick-off, and that I’d have to give it my all right up to the line. I put myself in that position, once again on the basis of manner, not obsession with victory. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. And in the end, when it paid off, I was really able to enjoy the victory.
- Physically, though, it was very hard…
Yes, very hard. Before the final, I was cramping all over. Calves, feet, thighs… Every time I moved a toe, it cramped. I could feel my body sending me signals that I wasn’t used to it any more. I was also a bit shaky, not used to taking gels during a race. I had no idea how it was going to react. But I said to myself: “I’ve got to go for it”. The goal is to win.
“I knew that the bump was more complicated for me, so I let it go, before launching hard at the top and playing to my strengths”.Lucas Chanavat at Nordic Magazine
- Tactically, your races are perfect.
Yes, I didn’t want to take the risks Johannes did. I preferred to lead, even if it meant losing a bit of energy, but at least I was safe. It was the best possible management for my situation, and it paid off.
- We felt you were very powerful on the long run-up to the second round…
Yes, I felt really good about it. I knew I had to switch to the front before the bump. I really had the margin to put a gear in at the end of the straight, and nobody could respond. Then, I knew that the bump was more complicated for me, so I let it go, before launching hard at the top and playing to my strengths.
“I put my foot down like never before”.Lucas Chanavat at Nordic Magazine
- In the final, it comes down to a photo finish. Can you feel Federico Pellegrino coming back?
No, not at all at the start. I had a lead on the descent. I tried to take a bend, perhaps a little too hard, and I lost time. What’s more, by the time I got out, I was cramping badly and I couldn’t accelerate again. That’s when I felt I was really at the end. And at the last moment, I felt him come back on the left. I didn’t think about it. I gave it my all. I threw my foot forward like never before, without even looking at where it was. I said to myself: “It’s going to go”. And it did.
- This victory also means you qualify for the Tour de Ski.
Yes, I had to get into the top 20 overall in the sprint. I didn’t do the calculations, I just said to myself: I’ve got to give it everything I’ve got and then we’ll see. Apparently it worked out [15th, editor’s note]. So I’m back.
- Given where you’ve come from, it’s more than just a result?
Yes, clearly. It’s unexpected. Three weeks ago, I returned to full training after doing virtually nothing. I was finding it hard to do more than an hour and a half of training. A fortnight ago, I was beaten by all the French in the French Cup [6th in Bessans, editor’s note]. Now I’m setting the pace from start to finish. It’s a crazy trajectory. It’s obviously a huge pleasure and bodes well for the rest of the season.
Read also
- Cross-country skiing | Davos: the boss, Lucas Chanavat wins the sprint skating ahead of Federico Pellegrino
- Cross-country skiing | “Dazzling progress”, “incredible comeback”: Lucas Chanavat’s victory in Davos as seen by the foreign press
- Cross-country skiing | Davos: relive Lucas Chanavat’s splendid skate sprint victory on video
