Cross-country skiing: a promising performance ahead of the 50 km for Flora Dolci
A few days ago, Flora Dolci told Nordic Magazine that she didn’t want “to have any regrets at the end” of the cross-country skiing world championships in Trondheim (Norway). This Sunday, on her debut at the world event, the Frenchwoman played her cards close to the vest, finishing a fine fifteenth in the skiathlon.
More at ease in the skating, the Frenchwoman held on honourably in the classic to give herself a chance of grabbing a few places as soon as she changed skis halfway through the race. Back near tenth place as the kilometres went by, the Haut-Alpine skier spoke to Nordic Magazine about her first participation in this format at a World Championships.
- What are your first impressions after your debut at these World Championships?
I had a bit of trouble with the classic. It was a bit hard and honestly, I was surprised by a lot of things. I thought I’d be pretty relaxed, but I have to admit I was more stressed than I thought. I thought I’d forgotten my transponders at the start and then I had a bit of trouble.
- However, you did manage to grab a few nice spots on the skateboard afterwards…
Skateboarding became a lot more fun straight away. I had a good feeling. The kind of feeling where you don’t think. I cramped up at the beginning but I was in the flow. I was next to Jessie Diggins but I could see girls ahead of me and all I could think about was going after them. I didn’t care about leading the group I was in. I just wanted to catch up with the girls in front. In the end, we made up several places and I know that I’ll finish with [Emma] Ribom who was 50 seconds behind me after the classic.
- Are you satisfied with your overall performance?
Even though the classic game was difficult, I really gave it my all. I played my cards as soon as I could. I’ve equalled my best ever performance in a skiathlon and that’s another great achievement. It proves to me that I can be consistent and that it’s not a fluke.
“Being the only Frenchwoman at the start is a bit special”.Flora Dolci at Nordic Magazine
- What did you need to keep in touch with the classics?
Perhaps I lacked a bit of grip. But that was the case for many athletes. As soon as I warmed up, I was a bit worried, but I could see that this was the case for a lot of people. Everyone was stressed and talking to the technicians. It was the first time we’d had conditions like that.
- You were also the only Frenchwoman at the start, and that rarely happens in the World Cup…
Being the only Frenchwoman at the start is a bit special. On the one hand, it’s very precious and nice, but on the other, it’s not so easy. I had the whole staff on my side but it’s always nice to have a colleague like Mathis [Desloges] and Hugo [Lapalus] on Saturday. It’s a special situation and I was surprised by the way it was managed.
- How did you find the track after the torrential downpours of the previous few hours?
The organisers did a hell of a job because we had a great track in difficult conditions. I’d also like to thank all the staff, because it was both special and precious to have them all there for me.
“I was struck by the intensity in the stadium”.Flora Dolci at Nordic Magazine
- On the other hand, the rain didn’t scare away the many spectators lining the track…
For me, I’ve only experienced this in Oslo and Seefeld. It’s just extraordinary and magical to have so many people lining the track! I was struck by the intensity in the stadium. I experienced that in Beijing. Here, you feel that it’s nothing like it. We run the World Championships every two years and you feel the intensity of the event.
- It was also your first world championship skiathlon. Was it a good experience?
Basically, I wasn’t going to do it. But this year, in the classic, things are starting to go well. I felt that I needed this skiathlon to ski. The Scandinavians have so much competition in their group that they can afford not to run a few races. We need to race to get into the rhythm and ski in the skis of other competitors. So our mission was accomplished in this first race!
- This fine form should whet your appetite for the legendary 50km race scheduled for next Sunday…
I’m happy because I’ve taken a lot of the pressure off. I think it will be different for the 50 kilometres. I want to ski and fight as hard as I can. Even though I haven’t done all the way round the course, I know it’s magnificent. It’s going to be a great race and that’s great! It’s quite fast and there’s never a dull moment. It’s quite special.
Read also
- Trondheim: Ebba Andersson beats Therese Johaug to the line to win skiathlon gold, Flora Dolci in the top 15
- Trondheim: Flora Dolci wants to give it her all in the World Skiathlon
- “I don’t want to have any regrets at the finish”: at the Trondheim Worlds, Flora Dolci will have a great card to play
- The full programme for the 2025 World Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships in Trondheim
