Cross-country skiing: no medals, but some satisfaction
The cross-country skiing events at the Turin 2025 World University Games got underway on Wednesday. The French team put in a very solid performance, with three girls in the top 10, France Pignot in fourth place, Julie Marciniak in fifth and Félicie Chappaz in seventh.
In the men’s category, two riders made it into the top 10. Félix Caillot, fifth, andUgo Zanellato, ninth. These results were achieved at a time when the French team was in the dark before the start of the competition.
“We had no idea where we stood. On the starting list, there were athletes with great potential who had already shown their worth,” France Pignot tells Nordic Magazine. Félix Caillot adds: “I didn’t have any particular objective. With the team, we didn’t necessarily have any idea of the level we’d reach when we came here. We still had the ambition of being able to play up front, but we didn’t really have a precise position in the lead.”
After Wednesday’s races, satisfaction was the order of the day in the French camp. “I’m happy with my race, it’s not a format that always works for me. I did well,” explained Félix Caillot. For Ugo Zanellato, it was also a good debut in the arena: “The instructions were to have no regrets, so I started quite strongly. It’s a good first.”
The same goes for the women’s team. “I’m happy with my race. My legs were a bit sore on the first lap, but then it got better. There’s a good level and it’s great to be up at the front,” says Félicie Chappaz.
France Pignot from Haut-Savoie was equally satisfied with her race. “I’m really happy because in terms of feeling and management, I had a great race. I’d been waiting for a competition like this for a long time. The result comes at the end, so that’s cool.”
Growing ambitions
These results augur well for the rest of the programme and point to good results for an ambitious French team.
“My objective now is to try and finish on the podium. I didn’t have a specific goal in mind when I arrived. This result makes me want to do it. It’s going to be tough, but it’s not impossible,” confided Ugo Zanellato.
“There’s a great atmosphere and we know each other like the back of our hand. It’s a pleasure to share that”Félicie Chappaz at Nordic Magazine
A position confirmed by France Pignot. “It’s definitely inspiring. We’ll see what happens depending on the format, but it certainly sets the tone. We tell ourselves that we’re in the game and that we can really enjoy ourselves in these races.”
Especially as all the conditions are there to shine. “I’m really happy to be here with the team. There’s a great atmosphere and we know each other like the back of our hands. It’s a pleasure to share that. It pushes us to succeed,” says Félicie Chappaz. France Pignot adds: “We’ve got a lot of people on our side, medical staff and coaches who are 100% behind us. We have great skis. There’s a great team spirit. It’s a great week, and we want to do well for the team.”
The cross-country racers are back on the Pragelato track this Friday, with classic sprints on the menu.
Read also
- Cross-country skiing | Turin: France Pignot and Julie Marciniak just off the podium in the individual skate event, Izabela Marcisz takes gold
- Cross-country skiing | Turin: Félix Caillot and Ugo Zanellato in the top 10 of the individual skate, gold for Olaf Martin Aaseru Talmo
- Cross-country skiing | Turin: the names of the eight Frenchmen selected for the 2025 World University Games
- Cross-country skiing: Manon Favre Bonvin and Aubin Gaulier replace Justine Gaillard and Luc Primet for the World University Games
