Cross-country skiing: Justine Gaillard to discover the ranks of the French teams
Last winter, Justine Gaillard quite simply had the best season of her young career. She came very close to the podium in the FESA Cup cross-country skiing mass-start classic in Oberwiesenthal (Germany) in January, and also took her first steps on the World Cup circuit.
During the stage in Les Rousses (Jura), the Méaudraise native rubbed shoulders with the elite of her sport before taking part in her first U23 World Championships in Schilpario, Italy. After finishing an excellent fifteenth in the classic transalpine sprint, the 21-year-old cross-country skier confirmed her progress.
After several seasons with Team Vercors Isère, her progress has opened the door to the French national teams: “I was hoping to join the federal groups after this great season, but I knew it wasn’t a given because there was a lot of density. I’m very happy and very proud of this selection. It’s a first for me and I’m really looking forward to it,” she tells Nordic Magazine.
“In previous years, I was always there, but things didn’t always go my way”Justine Gaillard at Nordic Magazine
“In previous years, I was always there, but things didn’t always go my way. I think I’ve made a lot of progress this year, she admits. I’ve come a long way mentally and physically, which has enabled me to have a winter that I won’t forget. I’m really keen to keep the momentum going.”
A major change of direction for the overall winner of the 2024/2025 French Cup. “Belonging to the federal groups has always been one of my main objectives. Getting into the U23s for the first time in her second year shows that you can’t give up, says the young woman. Now it’s a step that’s going to help me build for the future and achieve my next goals.”
And while she has been back in training over the last few weeks, Justine Gaillard will have the opportunity to experience her first federal training camp on the slopes of the Tignes glacier (Savoie) from 9 to 21 June. “I think it’s going to be a big change for me to be in this team, but I think I needed it. Training with a group of fourteen girls, when I was on my own most of the time, is really going to be a plus, she says. And I think that this emulation can only be positive for me. I know the girls, we’ve spent a lot of time together this winter, so I’m looking forward to training with them. What’s more, being with the senior girls is going to be very rewarding, especially for the intense sessions.”
“I’d like to perform well in the FESA Cup with podium finishes and a win to move up in the World Cup”Justine Gaillard at Nordic Magazine
The member of the Ski amical méaudrais is now looking ahead to 2025/2026 with high hopes. “For next winter, as always, I’m going to have to be there from the start of the season in Bessans. I’d like to perform well in the FESA Cup with podium finishes and a win to move up in the World Cup, she says. My main objective is still the U23 World Championships. I’d also like to thank Team Vercors Isère and my coach Robin Duvillard for these two wonderful years, which have given me so much.”
Read also
- The composition of the French national teams for the 2025/2026 season
- “In the big bumps, you can’t hear yourself breathe”: close to the top 30 in Les Rousses, Justine Gaillard savours her first World Cup weekend
