Para nordic skiing: Anthony Chalençon has changed his mind
Nearly a year ago, Anthony Chalençon, a legend in French Nordic para-skiing for the visually impaired, made the official announcement in these columns: “I’m going to the 2026 Games and then I’ll stop. I’m not going to create any false suspense or start a soap opera about the end of my career. In 2026, I’ll be almost 36!
Last August, he was still aligned with this decision. “It’s important for me to finish saying to myself on the morning of the last race that it’s the last one. The aim will be to celebrate with everyone and enjoy the moment,” he said at the time. I’d rather do that than be home alone one day, texting you to do an end-of-career interview without sharing it with the others. That would be such a shame!
“I’m going to be able to move on more calmly and gradually”.
However, the situation has since changed. No, Anthony Chalençon will not be hanging up his skis and his laser and sound rifle next March, in the twilight of the Milan/Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games.
We set our objectives with my coach Vincent Duchêne and he offered me the chance to continue for another year if I wanted to, but in a different way,” the father of a three-year-old daughter tells Nordic Magazine. What’s complicated for me is being away from home for several weeks at a time, and there was no question of going back to the current pattern.
The multiple world and Paralympic medallist thought about his coach’s proposal… and then decided to accept it. This way, I’ll be able to make the transition more calmly and gradually, and not all at once after the Milan/Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games,” he says. The fact that the Army is a great support for me is important because it means I can stay with them for a little while longer. That’s good financially, and also from a sporting point of view.
He’ll be aiming high for his final Paralympic Games
With his guide Florian Michelon also in agreement, Anthony Chalençon will be leaving for a final season in the winter of 2026/2027. ” The aim will be to travel a lot less and focus solely on the World Championships so that we can end the year a little more relaxed,” he says.
But the most important thing is elsewhere for the Frenchman: “The most important thing to say is that I will be competing in my last Paralympic Games next March! With the aim of shining in the three para biathlon races as well as the 20km individual skate and the para cross-country ski open relay.
- “I’ll go all the way to the 2026 Games and then I’ll stop”: Paralympic and world champion Anthony Chalençon sets his retirement date
- “If I reach my full potential, it will already be an achievement”: how Anthony Chalençon is preparing for the final season of his career, which will end in March with the Milan/Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games.
