Cross-country skiing: Victor Lovera sets out to win his world ticket
Since his return to the cross-country skiing World Cup, Victor Lovera has not finished outside the top 20 after four races. An excellent seventh and best Frenchman in Les Rousses (Jura) in the individual skate race on 17 January, the 24-year-old cross-country skier went on to put in a string of fine performances at the highest world level.
Still eighth last Sunday at the mass-start skateboarding event in Falun (Sweden), the Chartrous native has secured his ticket to compete in the world championships in Trondheim (Norway), which start on 26 February. A fine reward for the man who also wears the colours of Team Vercors Isère.
Speaking to Nordic Magazine, the young man talks about his current form and his first appearance at the senior World Championships, which will be held on a legendary course.
- How would you analyse your progress over the last few weeks in the World Cup?
After my good performance in Les Rousses, I was very happy, but I had to confirm it in the races in the Engadine and Cogne. There was a bit more stress because doing well in a race is great, but confirming it is also very hard. Even if the results weren’t quite as good, I still managed to do it and I’m very happy.
- In Falun (Sweden), you finished as the best Frenchman in the skate mass-start. We imagine that confirms your good form…
It also allowed me to integrate a little more into the team with the Worlds preparation camp in Prémanon just before the Falun stage. In Falun, I knew I was in good shape and it was a hell of a race. I was battling with the best and I didn’t need much to get into the lead. It was something quite unique for me.
“I didn’t expect to do so well this year”.Victor Lovera at Nordic Magazine
- Did you expect to be among the world’s elite?
I didn’t expect to achieve such results this year. I got into the top 10 by playing in the skis of the best. And yet there hasn’t been any big change. I didn’t necessarily click. It’s more a case of little things coming together every day. I’m almost surprised because it was quite unexpected, but I’m very happy that it’s working. It motivates me for the future.
- Your consistency has earned you a place at the world championships, your first in the senior category. How do you feel about it?
As for the Worlds, I don’t think I’ve realised yet. In my head, I’ve got the 50km skate. I’m going to prepare as best I can and I think I’ve got a good chance of doing well. In any case, I’m going to do everything I can. The aim will be to finish in the top eight and that would be an exceptional race. There are a lot of people and it’s a legendary race. Doing this race is a great achievement. It’s something that leaves its mark and I think it’ll be one of the best races of my life. We’ll have to stay calm and patient and I can’t wait!
- Are you feeling a little impatient or apprehensive ahead of your first start at a World Championship?
There’s no stress. It’s all about having fun and that’s what I try to keep in my preparation. During the training camp for the Worlds, I went to race the Transjurassienne with Team Vercors Isère. For me, it’s important to keep that pleasure and spontaneity. I’m trying to keep the same momentum that I had at the start of the season and during the preparation.
“I’m staying fairly calm and everything’s going well”.Victor Lovera at Nordic Magazine
- Are you proud to be able to perform at this level against the best?
Obviously, it’s great to be able to do races like I’m doing this year. I’m very proud of my course, where I didn’t give up. I’m staying fairly calm and everything’s going well. I’m going to put together an ambitious training programme because that’s something that’s important to me.
- Especially as we know that you devote a great deal of time to your studies…
I’m still studying at INP Ensimag in Grenoble on the side. It’s quite unusual to juggle the World Cup, where you’re racing cross-country and there are only professional skiers, with me studying on the side, sometimes with exams. The school helps me a lot, but I’m still a student. For the moment, everything’s going well and I want to keep this continuity because it’s part of my balance.
Read also
- The French selection for the Trondheim Worlds
- Falun: Paal Golberg wins the mass-start skate race in a thriller, Victor Lovera finishes in the top 10
- Cogne: Harald Oestberg Amundsen won the individual skate race ahead of two other Norwegians, Hugo Lapalus, Mathis Desloges and Victor Lovera finished in the top 15.
- Les Rousses: “I knew I could do it,” says Victor Lovera, best Frenchman in the individual event
