Cross-country skiing: no French women’s relay at the world championships in Trondheim
When the French team’s selection for the cross-country skiing world championships in Trondheim (Norway) was officially announced, only three names appeared in the women’s squad: Mélissa Gal, Flora Dolci and Léna Quintin. Although the group could have been strengthened following last weekend’s world cup in Falun (Sweden), it was decided not to add to it.
“We made the selection as professionally as possible. We have higher standards for the World Championships than for the World Cup, Olivier Michaud, director of the French cross-country ski teams, explained to Nordic Magazine. So we made this selection on the basis of our World Cup results this season. Flora Dolci performed very well in her speciality, freestyle, and Léna Quintin and Mélissa Gal also did very well in the sprint in Davos. With the rest of the group, who have been quite affected by Delphine’s injury [Claudel, out for the winter, editor’s note], it’s more complicated.”
As a result, Les Bleues, who will only have three players in Norway in the coming weeks, will not be lining up for the relay.
“We’re the first to be upset at not being able to take more girls, but in the French cross-country skiing team, if you go to the world championships, it’s to perform, not to take part, says Olivier Michaud. Our girls are struggling a bit this season. That doesn’t mean it will last, but from a sporting point of view, we only have three girls who are capable of going to the world championships, where I hope they will shine.”
“I don’t think it’s the right solution to send them into the Norwegian cauldron”
The decision was taken at a meeting of all the federal coaches. “We had a long discussion about this selection, both for men and women, reveals the head of French cross-country skiing. We talked about the younger players, but they’re not ready yet. I don’t think it’s the right solution to send them into the Norwegian cauldron with not enough experience and performance in the World Cup.”
To earn a ticket to the World Championships, regular places in the top 15 or top 20/25, depending on the speciality, were required. Results that Juliette Ducordeau, Julie Pierrel, Cloé Pagnier, Léonie Besson, Justine Gaillard and Léonie Perry failed to achieve.
Although he describes the situation as “extremely frustrating”, Olivier Michaud is reassuring for the future : “Not taking part in the relay has already happened in Oberstdorf in 2021, and it didn’t stop the girls from progressing and winning podiums the following season.”
