After giving a huge hug to team leader Kevin Strucl, Chloé Trespeuch, 27, walks around all smiles with the blue-white-red flag to the sound of a "Beautiful Day" by U2 for the occasion.
Eight years after the bronze of Sochi, the tricolor freestyler has just risen from a step on the Beijing Olympic podium by winning silver in snowboardcross.
In an event where the two favorites, the British and ex-French Charlotte Bankes and the Italian Michela Moioli, had been taken out before the final, the Savoyard could not do anything against the experienced American Lindsey Jacobellis, 36, finally crowned for its 5th Olympic Games.
“I'm very moved for myself and happy to share my emotions with my coaches
(Strucl and former snowboarder Nelly Moenne-Loccoz)
, to see the pride in their eyes.
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SILVER MEDAL FOR CHLOÉ TRESPEUCH 🇫🇷!!!
🤩 After bronze in Sochi in 2014, the Frenchwoman wins a second Olympic medal in snowboardcross!
🙌 #Beijing2022 #HomeOfOlympics pic.twitter.com/2WywVq5qNG
– Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) February 9, 2022
Olympic mascot in hand, the young woman savors the moment.
“In 2014, I was too young, it happened too quickly, she smiles.
I have memory lapses.
I worked a lot more and I waited a lot more for this medal than in 2014 when I had the ardor of youth.
I analyzed more, intellectualized my preparation, I begin to have experience, I lose the passion and it is necessary to compensate for it.
Considering the work that I provided, it is even stronger…”
Read alsoChloé Trespeuch, between ecological convictions and Olympic concessions: “The mountains are getting worse and worse”
On the way from Russia to China, the detour via Pyeongchang (and its exit from the road) has left some traces.
In 2018, Trespeuch arrives in South Korea with a favorite sign and the pressure that goes with it.
For a frustrating 5th place.
“Her failure motivated her.
He gave her the flame, observes Trucl.
She wanted to go get more.
She is gifted, she has gold under her feet but if we don't exploit it and if we don't work to transform it on the track, it doesn't work.
She's more mature, she realizes different things, that's why she appreciates the value of a podium.
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See you in 2026!
The skier from Val-Thorens then questions herself.
Both on physical and mental preparation.
"I was sure that I wanted to do this with my life and put my involvement at 100% to never regret anything again," she says.
I worked on concentration, race management, in physical work I put a lot more quantity and intensity.
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Variety, too.
Tired of the routine of summer training which “kills” her, Chloé opens up other horizons.
“I chose to do other sports, I did a half-marathon, mountaineering, she says.
I wanted to add challenges every summer to be at my maximum, get out of my comfort zone and progress.
When my legs hurt in the
border
, I think I had so much pain crossing the Pelvoux
(in the Ecrins massif)
, except that there it lasted 12 hours!
1′30 of run, it's nothing…”
🇬🇧 CHLOE TRESPEUCH VICE-OLYMPIC CHAMPION 🥈
She did it!
After her medal in Sochi, our Frenchwoman returns to #Beijing2022 and takes second place on the podium 💥#AllezLesBleus pic.twitter.com/RZCnPwyUk4
– Team France (@EquipeFRA) February 9, 2022
This Wednesday, on the track of Zhangjiakou, it was rather necessary to manage the head.
“There was a lot of tension, loose Strucl.
She did a first training of m… with all the possible errors.
The qualifications, with an 8th place, did not go very well.
There, we discussed and I told him that he had to relax, ride and enjoy the event a little.
»
Despite her years on the circuit, the now double Olympic medalist has managed to stay cool.
Almost youthful.
To the point of already talking about the 2026 Olympics. “Ah yes, absolutely, she laughs.
Lindsey proves that experience pays!
I'm super happy in the competition, I found the pleasure in the preparation, it's a balance that suits me and if I have the fries and the desire in four years, it will be with great pleasure!
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