Biathlon | Cross-country skiing: the new French teams make people happy and unhappy
Like every spring, the publication of the national collectives by the French Ski Federation (FFS) is a relief for the selected and a complicated moment for the discarded and the forgotten.
This year does not break with tradition with the notable absence of the Haut-Savoyarde Coralie Bentz from the French cross-country ski teams.
Already thrown out of the federal framework a year ago, the cross-country skierArgentiere (Haute-Savoie) had managed to overcome her disappointment by spending the summer in the Haute-Savoie Nordic Team. All this until you get your ticket for the Beijing Olympics 2022. For Nordic Magazine, she does not hide her disappointment at being dismissed again: “I thought that by going to the Olympic Games, even if I did not achieve the desired results, it would have done for my selection… It is their choice, I respect it and now my eyes are on the world championships, with a new preparation within the Haute-Savoie Nordic Team. »
The surprise Julie Marciniak
Among the other losers of the cross-country ski selections, we find Alexiane Gauthier and Tania Kurekin the France B team last season, but also Antoine Héricher, Simon Chappaz and Julien Thovex. Tom Mancinihe made the choice to leave the federal collectives in order to try the American adventure, and why not ski for a university. Valentin Chauvinafter his burnout, also left the FFS list, as did Juliette Ducordeauwhich joins the Team Vercors Isère. Martin Collethe did not manage to hold his place despite a beautiful winter.
As for the cross-country skiers who saw a smile on their faces when they read the lists, Julie Marciniak figures prominently. Biathlon defector this spring, it directly integrates the national collectives! « It’s a nice surprise, » she told Nordic Magazine. Melina Berthet, Leonie Perry, Neil German, Ivan Essonnier, Roman Welsh, Nathan Marseilles and Constant Missillier also integrate the federal collectives for the first time.
Melissa Galwho arrives in Group A alongside Flora Dolci, Delphine Claudel and Lena Quintinis also one of the winners spring arbitrations of the FFS.
Five newcomers to group A biathlon, Hugo Rivail dismissed
In biathlon, the big winners of the federal lists are Paula Botet, Lou Jeanmonnot, Caroline Colombo and Emilien Claude. All are actually incorporated into the world cup groupin the company of the stars of the France team.
« With the retirement of Simon Desthieux, I hoped to be there, but, as long as we don’t have his name on the list, we are never sure of anything, explains the Vosgien, who will train all the time. been with his brother Fabianto Nordic Magazine. It’s a great relief because it’s been two, three seasons that I’ve been around. I was disappointed not to be there last year, but this is great! »
Chloe Bened, a newcomer to Group B, is also experiencing an intense moment of joy. It must be said that, unvaccinated, she had to end her winter very earlyafter the end of the European Junior Championships in Pokljuka (Slovenia). His selection shows how much credit the FFS gives him.
Paul Fontaineon his sidejoined the federal fold, after a year spent in the Haute-Savoie Nordic Team. Théo Guiraud-Poillot is also among the newcomers, such as the Jurassienne Coralie Langel. “This is my first selection for the Blues! It’s a great joy and pride, » she says to Nordic Magazine.
At last, Sebastien Mahonoperated twice on the back in a few months, still retains his place in the France team, unlikeHugo Rivail, main loser of the federal lists. A selection of which Eve Bouvard, Ambroise Miller, Maya Cloetens and Matthew Garcia also paid the price. Finally, the disappearance of the young/junior group should be noted.