Cross-country skiing : five little news items in the World Cup at the races in Les Rousses
Of the twelve French female cross-country skiers selected for the World Cup in Les Rousses (Jura), scheduled for 17-19 January at the Tuffes stadium, five will be donning a bib on the most prestigious of international circuits for the very first time. They are Haut-Alpine Léonie Besson, Chaunière’s Cloé Pagnier, Vosgienne Clémence Didierlaurent, Méaudra’s Justine Gaillard and Vertacomicorienne Mélina Berthet.
All of them, obviously happy and proud, agreed to give their first reactions to Nordic Magazine.
Cloé Pagnier: “It’s important to gain experience and benchmarks to aim for the top of the podium”.
“I more or less found out about my selection following the FESA Cup in St. Ulrich before Christmas, after finishing second. It really was a goal I’d had in mind since my summer training, so I’m extremely grateful and happy to be able to take part in my first World Cup.
“It’s really very special because it will be my first step on the circuit that every skier wants to reach! And I’m taking this first step at home because I’m from the Doubs and I’ve been training here for quite a few years… First with the club, then with the committee and then with the French team. This is the culmination of a lot of things!
“I’ll be lucky enough to have my family and friends who follow me coming to the side of the track for this great event, and that’s no mean feat! First and foremost, I do this sport for passion, but having the support around me is something I’m really looking forward to!
“At the moment, I’m really feeling positive! I had some great races at the end of December and beginning of January. I’m in good shape, especially over distance, so I’m not setting myself any limits! I’m looking forward to discovering the world level, which is very tough, I’ve no doubt, but at 22, it’s important to gain experience and benchmarks to aim for the top of the podium haha!
“In terms of results, I don’t really know where I stand… It’s up to me to put in the work and the qualities that I develop every day in training so that I can hope to perform without any regrets, while making the most of this opportunity and this World Cup at home!
Clémence Didierlaurent: “I’m so happy and I can’t wait to find out all about it”.
“My start to the season has been a little below expectations because I haven’t managed to put everything together to achieve the results I was expecting. However, this first World Cup selection was very much expected of me… even if, after my recent results, I wasn’t expecting anything. Now that I’ve been selected, I’m going to try and make the most of it and make the most of it.
“I have no idea what to expect! Two years ago, we were at the World Championships in Canada and I wasn’t able to go and watch the World Cup in Les Rousses as a spectator. I think it’s going to be crazy! I’m so excited and I can’t wait to find out all about it.
Léonie Besson: “I can’t imagine forgetting my first World Cup”.
“When I heard the news, I really couldn’t believe it! On top of that, I was really tired from the trip back from the FESA Cup in Oberwiesenthal. Climbing the World Cup is really the ultimate goal in a cross-country skiing career. The fact that it’s actually happening is just wow!
“After my complicated winter due to illness and overtraining, I didn’t necessarily have high expectations for the season. I had goals and desires, but I knew I had to take it one step at a time if I was to develop properly and healthily. We had a series of French Cups and the FESA Cup, so I was taking things one step at a time.
“The fact that the race you’ve always dreamed of is actually happening is just enormous! I don’t think you’ll forget this first World Cup. You really have to live the experience to the full and learn from the best in the world while giving it your best shot with no regrets.
Mélina Berthet: “I can’t wait to race in Les Rousses”.
“To go back to the start of my season, it didn’t get off to a good start because I didn’t put in any great performances in the first French Cup and I didn’t get selected for the FESA Cup. But in the second French Cup, I put in a great individual skate that allowed me to go on to the FESA Cup in St. Ulrich and then Oberwiesenthal.
“I wasn’t expecting to be selected for the World Cup in Les Rousses, so it was a nice surprise! I’m very happy with my first World Cup selection. I’m going there to gain experience, so it’s a great opportunity. I can’t wait to race, especially as I went to see the races two years ago as a spectator, and the atmosphere was incredible. I hope it’ll be the same this year!
Justine Gaillard: “It’s still hard for me to realise that I’m really going to do a World Cup race”.
“At the start of the season, I’m very happy with what I’ve done! My aim was to go to the FESA Cup and perform there to try and reach the selections for the U23 Worlds. I didn’t do too well in the first one, but then I settled into my stride, finishing top 5 in the classic sprint qualifier and ninth in the finals in Oberwiesenthal. Fourth place in the 20km mass-start that followed was something I wasn’t expecting, but I’m really pleased with myself!
“Little by little, I’m gaining more and more confidence in myself and I’m telling myself that I belong here, among the best in the FESA Cup. I never thought I’d make it to the World Cup this year! I wasn’t at the Federation, I knew there was a World Cup in Les Rousses with more quotas… But I wasn’t sure! When I found out, I was really happy. It’s still hard for me to realise that I’m actually going to do a World Cup race!
“Two years ago, I was on the edge of the track and it was incredible. I think we can do great things! It’s going to be great to be up against the best. I’m going to give it my all and make sure I don’t regret this experience.
The full programme for the cross-country skiing world cup at Les Rousses (Jura)
Friday 17 January
- 1.30pm: Men’s individual 10 km FT
- 3.45pm: Women’s individual 10km FT
Saturday 18 January
- 12.15pm: CT men’s and women’s sprint qualifiers
- 2.45pm: men’s and women’s CT sprint finals
Sunday 19 January
- 11.20am: women’s 20km CT mass-start
- 3.45pm: men’s 20km TC mass-start
The French selection for the cross-country skiing world cup at Les Rousses (Jura)
Ladies
- Mélina Berthet – Vercors Ski de Fond (Dauphiné) 🇫🇷
- Léonie Besson – La Féclaz (Savoie) 🇫🇷
- Liv Coupat – Bessat Sport D’Hiver (Forez) 🇫🇷
- Clémence Didierlaurent – Vagney Rochesson (Massif des Vosges) 🇫🇷
- Flora Dolci – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / AS Edelweiss (Alpes Provence) 🇫🇷
- Juliette Ducordeau – Villard de Lans (Dauphiné) 🇫🇷
- Mélissa Gal – Pays Rochois (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Justine Gaillard – Ski Amical Méaudrais (Dauphiné) 🇫🇷
- Cloé Pagnier – Risoux Club Chaux Neuve (Massif Jurassien) 🇫🇷
- Léonie Perry – La Bressaude Ski Section (Massif des Vosges) 🇫🇷
- Julie Pierrel – Le Grand Bornand (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Léna Quintin – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / Le Grand Bornand (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
Men
- Julien Arnaud – Ski Club Montgenèvre Val Clarée (Alpes Provence) 🇫🇷
- Rémi Bourdin – Frasne Drugeon (Massif Jurassien) 🇫🇷
- Lucas Chanavat – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / Le Grand Bornand (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Jules Chappaz – ARMY OF CHAMPIONS / La Clusaz (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Arnaud Chautemps – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / La Féclaz (Savoie) 🇫🇷
- Sabin Coupat – Bessat Sport D’Hiver (Forez) 🇫🇷
- Victor Cullet – Les Menuires (Savoie) 🇫🇷
- Mathis Desloges – Villard de Lans (Dauphiné) 🇫🇷
- Ivan Essonnier – La Féclaz (Savoie) 🇫🇷
- Renaud Jay – DOUANE / Les Menuires (Savoie) 🇫🇷
- Richard Jouve – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / Méribel (Savoie) 🇫🇷
- Hugo Lapalus – ARMY OF CHAMPIONS / La Clusaz (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Jules Lapierre – ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS / SN Chartreuse (Dauphiné) 🇫🇷
- Victor Lovera – SN Chartreuse (Dauphiné) 🇫🇷
- Clément Parisse – DOUANE / Megève (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- Théo Schely – POLICE NATIONALE / CS La Clusaz (Mont Blanc) 🇫🇷
- The (large) French selection for the Les Rousses World Cup
- The World Cup will return to Les Rousses from 17 to 19 January 2025
