Ski jumping: Joséphine Pagnier continues to progress
On Saturday, 22-year-old ski jumper Joséphine Pagnier will be taking part in her last competition before the snow returns at the French Championships in Courchevel (Savoie ). The Franc-Comtoise native put in some unprecedented performances last season(podium finishes and victory in the World Cup, yellow bib worn several times), and has continued her fine form in the summer competitions.
On the podium of the Courchevel Grand Prix at home in August, she also won twice in the Intercontinental Cup in Stams (Austria). With less than two months to go before the start of the 2024/2025 World Cup, Joséphine Pagnier talks to Nordic Magazine. Interview.
- How would you sum up your summer?
I think it’s good. I’ve worked on the technical and mental aspects I wanted to, so that’s cool! I’ve tried less to look elsewhere this summer and I feel like I’m more focused on myself. I’m looking a lot less at what the others are doing and I’m sticking to that. I’ve been competitive in all the competitions I’ve taken part in, which is interesting. I’ve been consistent with my jumps.
- In terms of results, you managed a podium finish at the Grand Prix de Courchevel (Savoie), at home in front of your family and friends: with hindsight, what are your thoughts on this performance?
Looking back, I realise that this is something I wanted to do! If someone had told me that two years ago, I would have signed up straight away. It’s great, but it hasn’t changed my life. I still have the same thing to do at the springboard. But I’m really happy to have done it at home in front of family and friends. I had two great days, I enjoyed myself and, on top of that, Valentin [Foubert] took two podium places. That’s what really impressed me! It was great.
“I put a lot less pressure on myself and try to do the best I can”.Joséphine Pagnier at Nordic Magazine
- As the months go by, you seem to be taking things more calmly…
Thanks to my mental preparation, I’m better able to manage all the moments in my life as an athlete, especially the competition. Now I put a lot less pressure on myself and I try to do the best I can. I want to be in that frame of mind as much as possible, even when I’m training, which allows me to be a little more free.
- However, in ski jumping, the summer competitions are just training for the winter: how do you manage this so that you don’t get carried away?
What I like about the summer is that these are very important competitions. They don’t count towards the general ranking and the summer ranking isn’t representative. These competitions allow me to set objectives on a monthly basis during my preparation. That puts a bit of a blinker on things, because I know that my brain has a tendency to get carried away over the winter, to get carried away and to always want to do better. So it allows me to keep my cool and keep a cool head. So I see the summer competitions as training sessions, especially as not everyone is at their best. It’s more a question of adjusting the equipment and the state of mind.
“It’s going to be a bit of a thrill coming back to Lillehammer”.Joséphine Pagnier at Nordic Magazine
- More generally, it’s the whole French team that’s making progress, with the girls pushing behind you and the boys managing to play in the leading roles: you can imagine that’s a source of satisfaction…
It’s great because it’s starting to pay off for everyone. As far as I’m concerned, we’re a mixed group and it’s working out pretty well! I’m really pleased that the boys are getting results, because they’ve been heavily criticised over the last few years. They work like dogs, so it’s good to see that it’s paying off. It’s also thanks to our coaches who are doing a fantastic job! For a small nation like France, which doesn’t have much of a budget and doesn’t make ski jumping a priority, it’s hard to catch up with the other nations. I’d like to thank the coaches very much for that!
- How will you approach the start of the World Cup… scheduled for the end of November in Lillehammer (Norway), where you won in 2023?
Honestly, I don’t say to myself that I have to perform well in this or that place [laughs]. I prefer certain springboards to others, but I realise that I can win anywhere and in any conditions! I just need to keep my cool, learn to drive and enjoy myself. The results will come thanks to that and I know that hard work will pay off.
Having said that, it’s bound to be a bit of a thrill for me to be back in Lillehammer. I’ll just have to be ready for it, be fully aware of it, and work on it with my mental coach. I can’t predict anything because it doesn’t all depend on me, but I’m going to do everything I can to be the best I can be this winter!
- Joséphine Pagnier is the guest of Nordic Magazine after her historic season marked by victories and the yellow bib: “I felt like it was a dream”.
- Chaux-Neuve celebrated its champions Joséphine Pagnier, Flavio Guy and Cloé Pagnier
- “Why can’t we just have a calendar similar to that of the boys? Twenty-seven women ski jumpers, including Joséphine Pagnier, write to the FIS asking for parity.
- “Exactly what you feel on the springboard”: a first for Joséphine Pagnier and Les Bleus, who were able to train in the wind tunnel in Stockholm.
- Grand Prix de Courchevel: Joséphine Pagnier on the podium in the second competition
- “I put in place the tools that enabled me to overcome my little demons”: Joséphine Pagnier reflects on her excellent performances in Courchevel
- Stams: Joséphine Pagnier wins first Intercontinental Cup competition
- Stams: Joséphine Pagnier doubles up in the intercontinental cup
- Grand Prix de Klingenthal: Joséphine Pagnier in the top 10 of a competition won by Katharina Schmid
