Chloé, are you fully satisfied with the season you have just experienced, crowned in particular by the title of Olympic vice-champion in Beijing?
Chloe Trespeuch:
Yes, completely.
I am very satisfied.
The main objective of the Olympics has been fulfilled, in the way I wanted, taking full advantage of the event.
I was totally in, with the medal at the end.
On the World Cup circuit, I got five podiums, so I showed great consistency.
And then beyond the results, I'm happy with the feelings I had on the slopes, the way I approached the season and the way I experienced it.
Admittedly, I was aiming for the crystal globe and I only finished 3rd, but nothing is ever perfect either (laughs).
But overall, there are infinitely more positives than negatives to remember from this season.
Especially after a really average previous season, during which I had been very irregular.
I
How did you solve these small problems? What was the trigger mentally?
Last year, I realized that the doubt was too present in my head.
Questioning yourself is very important to continue to progress and improve.
But on the day of the race, on the other hand, when I take the start, there must be no room for doubt if I want to win.
Except that I couldn't get rid of it in this phase.
While this season, I managed to have only the good side of the questioning, the one that helps me to perform.
I also improved my work upstream, especially in terms of physical preparation by adding challenges, getting out of my comfort zone.
This allowed me, when I was in the starts, to always believe in myself, in my chances, in my potential.
It allowed me to give myself 100%,
Did this diversification of the challenges that you mention allow you to free yourself mentally, to get out of a certain straitjacket?
Yes, clearly, I found freedom in my preparation.
I removed the constraints that did not suit me.
I put more fun into my preparation because I hate routine.
Mentally, it exhausts me and physically, I find it difficult to keep the same intensity when I always do the same thing.
I am at a stage in my career where I have a multitude of preparations behind me, which necessarily look alike.
And there, to add challenges like running the Paris half-marathon, trail running, climbing, mountaineering, it allows me to work hard but in a fun way, discovering new things.
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Read alsoJO: Chloé Trespeuch wins silver in snowboardcross, 6th medal for France
Your post-Games was a little more difficult in terms of results. Is it due to a certain post-Olympic relaxation?
Probably yes.
But I only understood it afterwards because when I was in it, I didn't feel any worse mentally.
But it is certain that the Olympics took a lot of inspiration from me.
I think it was clearly a backlash, both emotional and physical.
Winning this silver medal was such a joy, but to achieve it, it took so much energy from me that at the end of the season, I inevitably lacked a little.
I was less fresh on the last two stages of the World Cup.
It is certain that this Olympic title makes me dream and that is what will give me the energy to set off again on a four-year cycle at full speed.
Chloe Trespeuch
How do you approach the rest of your career? After the bronze in Sochi and the silver in Beijing, it's hard not to think of a future gold in Milan-Cortina in 2026?
Yes, as I said, I love challenges and it's THE most important thing in my career.
Now, 2026 is still a long way off and before that, there are plenty of goals to meet, in particular this quest for the crystal globe which is also very close to my heart.
But it is certain that this Olympic title makes me dream and that is what will give me the energy to set off again on a four-year cycle at full speed.
Unlike others who seem to have trouble planning a four-year project, for you, there is no doubt that you will be present in 2026…
Yes, no worries, that's really my goal.
Then, in four years, a lot can happen, between injuries, my level of performance… Will I still have the flame of competition?
Today, everything is so good after this great season that I think so, but you never know… Let's say that I strongly believe in it.
Listening to you, it feels like you've never been so fulfilled. Is this your golden age in a way?
(Smiles) Yes, I think so.
When I won bronze in Sochi in 2014, I was very happy, very well too, but I was still very young and I didn't necessarily realize what I was going through.
Afterwards, around 2018, I had a moment when I was tired of training.
I still loved the competition but I had trouble in terms of preparation.
Not to mention my ankle injury and my Olympic failure in Pyeongchang which really hurt me, while paradoxically putting me back on the right track.
I realized how lucky I was to live this life, what I also loved.
We only realize that sometimes when we are deprived of it.
At least for me it was.
Since 2018, I
I really rediscovered this fulfillment and this pleasure of living from my passion and my sport.
And even more this year.
With experience, I am more aware of what I need, of what suits me.
So it's true, it's kind of my golden age (laughs).