Cross-country skiing: Léonie Perry, a surprise sixth place in Davos
Early on Sunday afternoon, a magnitude 6 earthquake struck the canton of Grisons and Davos (Switzerland) during the women’s individual skate race in the cross-country skiing world cup. Caused by Léonie Perry, it enabled the Vosges native to achieve a career-best ranking.
It has to be said that the cross-country skier from La Bresse (Vosges) was quite simply sixth in this race… just 15 sec 9 from victory. Joining the very select circle of French women to have achieved a top 6 finish on the world circuit, Léonie Perry, who turned 21 just a few weeks ago, is still struggling to put her performance into words.
“I think I’ll never really achieve it… I can’t believe it, I tell myself I must have dreamt it. It’s a special feeling,” she told Nordic Magazine on Monday afternoon, still on cloud nine despite having returned home.
A lot of joy, and a lot of frustration too
“I set off with really no pressure! The weather was fine, it was lunchtime and I was so happy to be there,” she continued, looking back on her race. I had bib number 13 and all the strong girls hadn’t even started when I finished. The coaches were telling me that it was great, that I had the best time, but looking back at my race, I’m still a little frustrated. Of course, I’m really happy, but I’m still hugely frustrated!
Although Léonie Perry gave her all in this Swiss individual, she could perhaps have found an unsuspected extra soul if she had been informed about the gaps.
I had the impression that I’d done my race the day before the other girls and that the next day they’d tell me I was sixth,” she says. That’s what it felt like! When I see that I’m only 15 seconds away from victory… waaaaaaah! It’s huge, but at the same time so frustrating.
A “very comfortable” provisional leadership position
Sitting for long minutes in the provisional leader’s seat not far from the finish line, the Bressaude didn’t hesitate to make herself comfortable. It’s very comfortable,” she admits with a smile. I played the clown (sic) because I wanted to take advantage of the moment, which I thought would be short, to say hello to the parents.
In fact, it was on this hot seat that Léonie Perry learnt that her performance, which she had imagined to be in the top 20, would take her into the top 10: “There was the tablet, I could see the split times, and I was shocked… Heidi [Convard] was there at the time and we were wondering what was going on!”
“I still took a photo next to Jessie [Diggins]!”
Beaten by just five opponents, the Frenchwoman took part in the official ceremony alongside American legend Jessie Diggins, who was fifth 5 sec 6 ahead of her.
“I even took a photo next to Jessie [Diggins]! In a 10 km race, she’s right in front of me, I don’t know how that’s possible,” she says, without really believing it. Seeing her in real life also allowed me to see that she’s a lot smaller than me, a lot cuter. It’s impressive and makes you realise that she’s human.
Resting this week before probably heading off to the Tour de Ski, Léonie Perry has struck a blow in the race for an Olympic ticket.
- Davos : Léonie Perry magnificent sixth in the individual skate, first World Cup victory for Karoline Simpson-Larsen
- Less than two months after fracturing her right thumb, Léonie Perry is selected for the Trondheim World Cup: “It bodes well for the future”.
- Léonie Perry withdraws from the Trondheim World Cup
