At the bottom of Zhangjiakou's pipe, Kevin Rolland, 32, shows a broad smile.
Tinted with a beautiful emotion.
For a half-pipe ski champion of his level, however, ensuring his qualification for the final of the Olympic Games (where he made a bronze in 2014) is all a walk in the park.
But not when we were close to death three years ago…
“I started to be a little emotional when being in the final seems normal, breathes Le Plagnard, 10th after the two runs (for 12 qualified).
But it's not necessarily for me.
I am in the final of the Olympic Games.
Two and a half years ago, this is something I was far from thinking about.
I try to go back a bit and tell myself here is where I am.
It's incredible.
I am too happy, very happy to have managed to withstand this pressure.
Even if I'm not in the top, I'm in the final and anything can happen.
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The former multiple winner of the X Games in 2009 world champion has not flamed.
But did not burn out for his second run, when he was virtually eliminated.
“The first run, even though I knew I had made a mistake, gave me confidence for the second, he explains.
It was a bit hard at the start of the second because of course we stay hooked on our phone to watch the scores, which we shouldn't do.
I had no choice, you have to pull yourself together in a split second and give it your all.
I also made a small mistake that cost me less points.
But it's a good sign, there are plenty of things to improve.
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🇬🇧 Respect Mr. Kevin Rolland!
Almost three years after being close to death, the French standard bearer is in the Olympic halfpipe final 💪#ChaletClub #Beijing2022 pic.twitter.com/J8wnji5Ain
– Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) February 17, 2022
The Chinese podium seems very far away.
But whatever.
Saturday morning (from 2:30 a.m. on the night of Friday to Saturday in France), the flag bearer of the tricolor delegation will be there.
“The bet is successful but I still have it under my feet, he slips.
There's plenty of room, I've already done much better runs than that!
I had complicated training because of a coccyx injury at the start of the season, I didn't ski much.
But I have nothing to lose.
It was today that I had the pressure!
Now, I have no pressure for results, just to do nice big tricks.
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The culmination of a fortnight where he began to find the long time since his role as leader during the opening ceremony.
"Ah yes," he breathes.
I was very excited when I arrived, I went to see the cousin's medal
(Editor's note: Tess Ledeux in silver in the big air)
, I watched the events but it's been a bit long, especially when you're not skiing.
For the past three days I have been able to touch the snow and it is better.
I managed to manage, I didn't do anything by going out by minus 35. Now I'm going to recover and think about what I could do to get the Americans… ”