Cross-country skiing : all the French cross-country skiers once again win over the public at Les Rousses
Last weekend, twenty-seven French competitors took part in at least one event at the cross-country skiing world cup in Les Rousses (Jura). Some of them had already had this experience two years ago, while others were taking their first steps among the elite on French soil.
Driven by a furious public throughout the three days of competition, the French cross-country skiers used this popular enthusiasm to tap into their reserves. When asked in the mixed zone about this crazy atmosphere, the French were all unanimous with Nordic Magazine.
Hugo Lapalus
“The public increases everything tenfold. Sometimes it pushes you when it’s a bit hard, but it also excites you when you’re doing well. In the first few laps [of the classic mass-start, editor’s note], I felt really good and with the crowd, I was a bit excited and I really wanted to put even more into it. I should have kept a bit in. I wanted to enjoy it.

Lucas Chanavat
“The atmosphere was incredible. Right from qualifying [during the classic sprint, editor’s note] it was crazy, we couldn’t hear each other. It was great, it was a really cool experience. It was too good. In any case, it’s one of the best World Cups. But I think that for foreigners too, it’s really a cauldron, especially in a sprint like that where it’s screaming from A to Z. It’s crazy to experience, it’s really cool and it really stimulates you.

Léna Quintin
“I’m happy to have been able to race at home. It’s still exceptional and it’s such a pleasure to see everyone here for cross-country skiing. It’s a really good memory for the whole season.

Rémi Bourdin
“It was really crowded. Saturday was exceptional in qualifying with bib 1. It was just crazy. I went through the gate and there was a lot of noise all the way to the finish. It was the same on Sunday. At important moments, you’re carried along by the crowd. It’s that little bit of extra soul that really makes you hold on to certain groups or certain people. I also hope that we’ll come back here because we’re looking forward to doing better in terms of results.

Julie Pierrel
“The public is really something that supports us. When we’re not doing so well, there’s always someone there to shout at us. The chainsaws, the bells and all that, it really gives us a boost and helps us out.

Mathis Desloges
“All my family and friends were there, so it was a crazy atmosphere. It’s really something extraordinary. I’d never experienced anything like it before. It’s great fun and you can’t hear yourself breathe. It makes the effort really different. It pushes you to your limits and allows you to ski even faster and also ski with your heart.

Flora Dolci
“It’s just too much fun and it’s a wonderful communion. It was too, too good. It’s so rare that we all get to see each other like that. You have to make the most of days like this!

Julien Arnaud
“It was crazy. During the race, I fought hard but I also enjoyed myself. During the warm-up, I tried to stay focused. But it’s a real chance to race in France at the World Cup. There’s a crazy crowd and it’s a real pleasure. In the sprint, I couldn’t hear myself breathe. I don’t have the words to explain just how magical and exceptional it was to experience that.

Justine Gaillard
“The atmosphere was really great and it was so cool. The noise was pushing you all the way. On the big bump, you can’t hear yourself breathe. I didn’t know I was hyperventilating, so I just kept going [Laughs]!”

Richard Jouve
“You can see that the public is there and that’s really cool. It’s rare to have so many people at the World Cup at the side of the track. We’re lucky it’s a French crowd. I’d like to thank all the fans because it’s always a pleasure.

Léonie Besson
“It’s just crazy to be playing in my first World Cup at home – the crowd are crazy! Frankly, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You really have to run to experience it, and I lived that moment to the full. 1,000%.

Jules Chappaz
“It’s crazy. Two years ago, I stopped very early in the quarters. I fell at the top of the Balancier and didn’t really enjoy it. And now, when my quarter finishes, I’ve decided to harangue the crowd a bit because it’s really rare to race in France. You really have to make the most of it and there was a crazy crowd. This sprint has a bit of a ‘cauldron’ effect. I feel like I’m in a stadium.

Cloé Pagnier
“It was an extraordinary experience. There was a crazy atmosphere. I saw my family and friends right from the warm-up. There were a lot of passionate people and I felt a huge amount of support. It’s a great feeling.

Victor Lovera
“There’s no pain anywhere when all you hear is the audience. And you push and you push. It’s that little bit of extra soul that means you can really go and find the pain.

Read also
- “It’s really different”, “It’s a fun track”: what foreign athletes have to say about the new Les Rousses course
- The complete Les Rousses World Cup
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