Olympic Games 2026 | Nordic Combined: a French Olympic team of Franc-Comtois
With just two days to go before the start of their Olympic Games, France’s three overalls Laurent Muhlethaler, Marco Heinis and Maël Tyrode spoke to France 3 Franche-Comté. The three men make up a 100% Franche-Comté team.
After arriving in Trentino-Alto Adige a few days ago, the French team carried out their first Olympic training session surrounded by their coaches Alexandre Villet, Alexandre Mougin and Ludovic Bourgeois, also from Franche-Comté, as well as two of their waxing technicians and their osteopath.
For his 3rd and final Olympic Games, Laurent Muhlethaler is hoping to do something great. “We really need to enjoy it together, because there’s going to be a lot of pressure. There will be tension and all that. But if we don’t forget that we’re a team and that’s what makes us strong too, I think it can go really well,” explained the skier from Prémanon, just after his last training jump. It’s true that when you come here, you say to yourself that it’s really great to experience this. But yes, I do think that these will be my last games. So all the more reason for me to make the most of it. I’m on my toes!
The three men will meet this Wednesday on the small hill from 10.00 am. The 10km pursuit will start at 13:45 on the Tesero piste. The snow is particularly soft because of the mild conditions over the last few days. So you’ll need good equipment and perfect condition to make the difference on the physical circuit.
“Most of the work is done
Ludovic Bourgeois, the Nordic combined team’s cross-country skiing coach, is confident about the preparation that has been achieved. “Most of the work is done. Now we’re redistributing advice. We’re not going to reinvent anything. You have to deal with form, whether it’s good, average or, I hope, not bad. Now we’re guiding them. We calm them down a bit. We try to channel their stress and make sure everything lines up properly ,” he explains.
Marco Heinis, the youngest member of the team, is taking part in his first Olympic Games. This winter, he achieved his best ever World Cup result with a 9th place, giving him plenty of confidence ahead of the event. “It’s important for confidence to be able to express yourself at your best. It’s nice before setting off on a big competition. It was important to do it. And every year, I want to give it my best shot.
Marco Heinis and Laurent Muhlethaler were initially the only two to make the trip to Italy, but Maël Tyrode will be joining them in the end, thanks to an additional quota. He makes no secret of his delight at his final selection. “It’s a great opportunity to be here. I’m really enjoying it. I’m going to try to make the most of every moment and perform as well as possible. The rings on my jersey still feel a bit strange, but I feel good, in my place and ready.
The Nordic combined programme at the Olympic Games
Wednesday 11 February
- 10.00: Men’s gundersen HS109 ski jumping competition
- 1.45pm: men’s gundersen 10km FT cross-country ski pursuit
Tuesday 17th February
- 10.00: Men’s gundersen HS143 ski jumping competition
- 1.45pm: men’s gundersen 10km FT cross-country ski pursuit
Thursday 19 February
- 10.00: HS143 men’s team sprint ski jumping competition
- 2.00 pm: 2×7.5 km cross-country ski pursuit FT of the men’s team sprint
- Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium: everything you need to know about the Val di Fiemme stadium, which hosts the Nordic combined events at the Milan/Cortina Olympic Games
- Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium: everything you need to know about the venue hosting the Nordic combined events at the Milan/Cortina Olympic Games
- The full Nordic combined programme at the Milan/Cortina Olympic Games
- Why are there no women’s events in Nordic combined?
- France TV and Eurosport coverage of the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games
- “What I miss is being a man”, says Léna Brocard for Nordic Magazine: Nordic combined, still the only Olympic event without women
