Cross-country skiing : Hugo Lapalus gets his bearings before Ruka
Tied for fifth with Emil Iversen in theindividual classic of the Norwegian opening cross-country ski races, Hugo Lapalus showed that he was on the pace in Beitostølen (Norway). Despite a broken pole that cost him a few seconds, the Haut-Savoyard finished just ten seconds off the podium.
Speaking to Nordic Magazine, the 26-year-old cross-country skier talks about the highlights of his race and his desire to return to the World Cup next weekend on the slopes of Ruka (Finland).
- How did you feel this morning before you entered the fray?
I did the qualifying yesterday [for the classic sprint, editor’s note] and I didn’t necessarily have the impression of being good or not good. It’s a bit hard to get a feel for this format, especially as I don’t do it very often. This morning I felt pretty good in the warm-up, so that was already cool. After that, you never really know what it’s going to feel like during the race, but in any case, it felt OK. And the race went well. I was on the pace and the gaps were good. I felt that I was on the pace.
- Was there a lot of excitement before the start?
There’s always a bit of excitement about the first race of the winter. Especially here, we know that the level is high. It’s a good indicator, though, because quite a few Norwegians are playing in the selections and there’s a good crowd at the start. It’s certainly interesting. The first races always make you want to start the season.
“I had to do the whole end of the loop with this stick someone lent me and I didn’t have the strap”.Hugo Lapalus at Nordic Magazine
- How did you manage your effort despite your broken stick?
There was the first lap when I got off to a good start and I was in the groove. I was even in the lead for a while but I broke a stick just after that. That really shook me up because it still took me a few seconds to get another one. I had to complete the whole loop with the stick I’d been lent and I didn’t have the strap. That’s when I let go of it a bit and it put me in the red. However, I managed to get my stick back on the way out of the stadium and I was within 10 seconds of the lead.
I tried to calm down a bit and keep my rhythm. I wanted to get back to what I’d set up on the first lap. Then I managed to finish well, so it’s a bit frustrating, because it could have been better and the podium is only 10 seconds away. But that’s the way the game is, I just had to be more careful. Despite everything, the result is there and that’s always good for confidence before the World Cup.
- These races are still preparatory events, but are you satisfied with a good result in this first one?
That was the main aim! We spoke to the coach about the result, which is always important, because you race to win. After that, we know that these were preparatory races before the start of the season. We want to do well and the important thing is to find our rhythm and our bearings for the World Cup. I think that’s been done for the whole group. Everyone has seen where they stand and what needs to be corrected.
- Will the individual skateboarding event on Sunday give you a chance to fine-tune?
We didn’t do any ‘real’ individual skateboarding during the preparation. I think this will be a good benchmark for making some final adjustments. It’s all a continuation of what we did today. I think the main thing is to try and get some speed and hurt ourselves. We mustn’t break any sticks either [Laughs]!
“It’s also going to be important to get into the season in the right way”.Hugo Lapalus at Nordic Magazine
- We can imagine that you must be getting more and more impatient to get back to the World Cup…
I’m obviously looking forward to the World Cup. It’s going to be different from this weekend because it’s different with all the nations. It’s the races that count, so it’s going to be important to get the season off to a good start. The whole team is motivated and I think they’re in good shape and excited to get going.
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