Cross-country skiing: Flora Dolci leads the French women’s team to the world championships
Since last winter, Flora Dolci has established herself more than ever as one of the contenders for the podium in the cross-country skiing World Cup races. Constantly improving, the French cross-country skier now rarely leaves the top 15. Just look at her fine performance at the skate mass-start in Falun (Sweden), where she finished tenth last Sunday.
And as she prepares to take part in her fourth senior world championships, the 25-year-old from the Haut-Alpes could well have a great card to play on the slopes of Trondheim (Norway). A few days before her departure for Scandinavia, the AS Edelweiss member spoke to Nordic Magazine.
A podium in her sights
“At the start of the season, I was quite relaxed because I knew I had time to get some results and express myself. Then came the Tour de Ski and I really wanted to put in some good performances. Except that I fell ill and went home.
“Then there was the home World Cup in Les Rousses, where I had my first top 10 finish two years ago. However, my state of form didn’t allow me to do a race that lived up to my expectations. It was a disappointment. I have to say that in the last period before Falun, there was a lot of frustration. I think I had high hopes last year after finishing fourth, fifth and seventh. I really wanted that podium and I was a bit obsessed with that.
“As a result, at the end of each race, there was a feeling of frustration. I think I forgot to look back at my results because I became much more consistent than last winter. I forgot about the positive aspect of consistency, which is also a sign that you’re learning something.
A major wake-up call before Falunz
“All that to say that, sometimes, when you’re an athlete and you want to be ambitious, you sometimes forget to validate the positive things that have happened. In Falun, I relaxed and had a bit more fun. It’s a place I really like, with a great atmosphere. The track is also great and there are very rarely any problems during the race.
“There’s no pressure because I know I’m going to play with my weapons.Flora Dolci at Nordic Magazine
“In the individual classic, I really impressed myself. It’s the first time I’ve set such good times. I’ve never been so close to some of the girls. I finished just outside the top 20 and it was my second top 30 in this style. I’m really happy and it’s good motivation for the World Skiathlon.
“We did a big altitude block before Falun and I think I had a bit of a slump during the mass-start skate. My legs were really stiff as soon as I set off. But for this weekend, I just wanted to ski and I did, so it was cool.
The desire to play against the best in Trondheim
“It puts me in a good frame of mind and I’m pretty serene. There’s no pressure because I know I’m going to play with my weapons. In any case, I’ve proved to myself that I’ve got a bit of it when I didn’t think I had so much, which is great.
“I’m spending between seven and ten days at home before the Worlds and it’s going to be good to be back with my family and friends, in the sunshine and on the slopes that I love. At the Worlds, I’ll be competing in the skiathlon and the 50-kilometre race. I’m really happy and highly motivated. In terms of ambition and results, I want to do my best. I don’t want to have any regrets at the finish. I want to blow my VO2 and burn out my lungs, and then we’ll see [laughs]!
“It’s a very cool track. I sincerely hope the weather’s good, because I’m a bit dependent on the weather. I’m a bit like a solar panel, so I hope the weather’s good [Laughs]! On the other hand, I know the atmosphere is going to be crazy.
“I don’t want to overplay it”.Flora Dolci at Nordic Magazine
“I’m pretty excited and once again I’m going to try not to put any pressure on myself and really treat it like a party. I don’t want to overplay it and I know there’s a lot at stake in terms of media coverage, but I just want to enjoy it and do my skiing. Whatever happens, there will still be some great races at the end of the season.
Read also
- The French selection for the Trondheim Worlds
- Falun: the inexhaustible Jessie Diggins raises her arms in the skate mass-start, Flora Dolci climbs into the top 10
