Cross-country skiing : “We train so hard that we need the races to come”, says Richard Jouve
Last weekend Richard Jouve took part in the French summer cross-country skiing championships in Autrans (Isère). In the classic mass-start, contested on Sunday, he took fifth place at the end of the 33.3km effort.
“It wasn’t a bad race. It allowed us to take part in an event of a very high standard,” he explains in his column in SkiChrono. We’re not used to the push. It makes for an interesting race. In the summer, during the BlinkFestival or the Toppidretsveka, there’s a similar format. If you want to push hard in winter, you have to go through this kind of race.
The day before, in the sprint skate, he was one of the favourites, but his day ended at the quarter-final stage. “I was having an off day and didn’t have much energy. I hadn’t done any high-intensity training in recent weeks.
And with good reason: the cross-country skier from Méribel (Savoie) injured his arm during the French team training camp in Font-Romeu (Pyrénées-Orientales). “I injured my arm during a speed push session. It hurt a bit and unfortunately I didn’t stop in time. I had to spend four days working only with a stick,” explained the 30-year-old cross-country skier.
The French team also used hypoxic chambers during their altitude training camp. ” The whole team worked really well […] We were able to work hard, do different intensities and at different altitudes. We were in hypoxic chambers. It’s not enough to be at 1,800 metres; the chamber increases the benefits.”
” The altitude suits me quite well. I can always adapt and train. […] The training load is higher. We had three intense weeks. It’s good to set up this type of course every year to prepare for the winter,” explains Richard Jouve.
It promises to be a busy autumn for the sprinter. The French team will be in Prémanon (Jura) on 16 October for another high-intensity training camp. “We’ll be able to pick up the pace again, this time without the altitude. Then I’ll go home for a few days before heading off to Beitostølen to compete in the FIS at the start of the season.
For Richard Jouve, competition remains his essential driving force. “I’m a competitor, I want to race. We train so hard that the races have to happen. We’re never at 100% when the season starts, but we want to get back on the skis and get back to the fire of the start.
For the double Olympic bronze medallist in the Team sprint in Pyeongchang (South Korea) in 2018 and in the relay in Beijing (China) in 2022, the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games are shaping up to be a highlight.
“I’m going to make the most of this season, which is going to be very special with the Games coming up, almost at home. I think I’ll be able to put in some good performances, and I want to give it my all. I can’t wait to get started!
Read also
- Cross-country skiing | Photo album: before the French championships in Autrans, the French team trained in Font-Romeu
- Cross-country skiing: the composition of the French national teams for the 2025/2026 season
