Cross-country skiing: “There’s still a long way to go to the Olympics, but this first block gives us a solid foundation for the rest of the season”, says Olivier Michaud
After the first block of the season with the three weeks in Scandinavia, then the World Cup in Davos (Switzerland) and finally the Tour de Ski, Olivier Michaud, director of the French cross-country ski teams, gives his initial assessment. Nordic Magazine talks to him about results, team dynamics, the emergence of young talent and the outlook for the Olympics.
- How would you sum up the first half of the season and the Tour de Ski?
Overall, like every year, the idea was to get back to Scandinavia in the best possible way. We know that it’s traditionally very dense in terms of level and that results are always hard to come by. This season is even more special because it’s an Olympic season: the density has clearly increased in all the nations. Everyone is already in the race for selection, which is raising the world standard. The result is some very good races, but they are also very expensive to run.
Despite that, we’ve managed to get the season off to a good start with some good results. Right from the start, Jules [Chappaz] was there for us, being very solid in Ruka[fourth in the classic sprint, editor’s note]. After that, things went from strength to strength all the way to Davos, with Lucas [Chanavat] winning in particular, which was a real highlight for the group. Over the distances, the boys were generally in good shape.
- The strategy for the girls was different.
Yes, clearly. We decided to prepare a large part of the women’s squad in France, with the aim of being ready for the World Cup in Davos. Three girls were initially scheduled to go to the World Cup. Flora Dolci’s injury obviously changed the plans, leaving only Delphine [Claudel] and Léna [Quintin]. Delphine nevertheless managed to put in a very good race in Ruka after her return from injury. She then had to stop dead in her tracks, but we know that this type of injury can heal well if you do things properly. That’s what we’re doing today, and the signs are pretty positive.
We were able to sign up a lot of girls for the European Cup and no fewer than eleven different athletes for the World Cup in Davos. This gave each of them a chance to express themselves and to compete at international level. Collectively, it’s still not enough, but there was one real positive with Léonie Perry’s fine performance in sixth place, which gave the women’s team a real boost.
“It was an extremely busy Tour de Ski, with lots of nations and lots of athletes at the start”.Olivier Michaud at Nordic Magazine
- Then there was the Tour de Ski, what do you remember about that week?
It felt like an extremely crowded Tour de Ski, with lots of nations and lots of athletes at the start. That’s exactly what we like: maximum competition, with all the best present. The results are interesting to analyse. Among the boys, there were some very good performances, both in the sprint and over distances. We ended the Tour with two podium finishes, including that of Jules Chappaz on the Olympic track in the sprint, which is obviously very significant. There was also the performance of Jules Lapierre [second at the top of the Alpe Cermis, editor’s note], which is still very satisfying. Collectively, we were solid over certain distances, particularly on the final climb.
For the girls, the start-up was more complicated, but there were still grounds for satisfaction. The young riders came to gain experience. The sprint in Val di Fiemme was very interesting, with great racing from Mélissa Gal and Julie Pierrel, and twentieth place for Clémence Didierlaurent. Léonie Perry also confirmed her position with a fourth place in the mass-start heat, in a highly competitive series.
- To sum up, what is the prevailing feeling after this Tour de Ski?
Overall, the Tour de Ski went rather well. Obviously, we still want more: more podium finishes, more team density, for both the girls and the boys. But the momentum is good, the spirit is good, and the team is moving in the right direction. There’s still a long way to go to the Olympics, but this first block gives us a solid foundation for the rest of the season.
- Was Jules Chappaz’s podium finish in the classic sprint at Val di Fiemme, the future Olympic track, particularly significant?
Clearly, yes, and not just for the raw result. First of all, qualifying is very important: four boys and three girls made it through. It shows that we’ve quickly got our bearings on this Olympic track, and above all that it’s generating positives, not worries. It’s a difficult track, with a long qualification and a very technical race pattern. You have to be extremely clear-headed. The last climb is long and demanding, and the exit requires a relentless recovery. It’s not just a question of power, but also of technique, coordination and instinct.
Jules was impressive in his attacks, his positioning and his ability to read the race. It’s a very complete sprint, a hunter’s sprint, where instinct is key. For us, this course suits us well, and this podium is a major point in our projection towards the Olympic Games.
- This format seems to favour endurance sprinters. Is this also your reading?
First there’s the qualifying round, where you have to be extremely precise. Then, in the final stages, a sprinter with instinct can really come through, as long as he manages the different phases well: positioning, timing, not going all out too early. The last climb makes a big selection, but the final sprint also depends on mental freshness, positioning and timing when getting up. That’s where experience and instinct make the difference.
- Léonie Perry seems to be establishing herself as a rising star among the girls. How do you see her development?
We already saw her last year. She arrived in the World Cup at a very young age, she did the Tour de Ski and she’s always been in her place. She’s a very level-headed skier and has a lot going for her. You don’t come fourth and sixth in the World Cup by chance. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but she’s definitely going to be one of the leaders of the French team, along with Delphine and Flora when she returns. There’s a projection for this season, but also for the long term, particularly towards the 2030 Games. Now, the message for the women’s group is clear: if Léonie does it, the others can do it too. This collective dynamic has to be put in place.
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