Our special correspondent in Courchevel
Alexis, what is the flavor of this world title in home combined?
Alexis Pinturault:
It's quite incredible, especially since it was not going in the direction of my season which was quite difficult until now.
This title was not necessarily expected, even if I had the desire and the motivation to give the best of myself for this event.
I dreamed of this title but I also had to be realistic, in the sense that I had only made one podium this season (3rd in the Beaver Creek super-G).
As a result, being able to go for a gold medal on this combined was somewhat unexpected.
Especially given my last two slaloms in Kitzbühel and Schladming where I didn't even manage to qualify for the second run each time.
I had had these Worlds in mind for a very long time, but there is a big difference between the desire to
Read alsoAlpine Skiing Worlds: Alexis Pinturault combined world champion at home
We felt you were very moved after the finish…
Yes, it was probably increased tenfold by this difficult start to the season.
To immediately see Marco (Schwarz, his runner-up) stay behind me for a tenth, it was a real relief.
Automatically, I knew that the podium was almost assured, and that the title was not very far away.
It was already a great satisfaction, and a certain liberation to see him behind me.
Then there was the Marseillaise, in front of my audience, which was a very special and strong moment.
Is it possible to compare this title to that of 2019 to Are, still combined?
It's very different.
In Are, it was an important title but here, it will inevitably remain as one of the greatest titles of my career with the big crystal globe and the medals at the Olympic Games.
How did you manage to get your head back on this handset?
I think I really want to take advantage of these Worlds in my resort, in front of my family, my friends… For me, it was really the most important thing to be able to take advantage of this atmosphere, this unique opportunity.
So, I wanted to surf on it.
Everyone was talking to me about the pressure of playing at home but I'm taking these World Cups completely in the opposite direction.
Afterwards, maybe my start to the season also helps me on this point.
If I had arrived here as one of the big favourites, automatically, a lot would be expected of me.
Whereas here, I am in a situation where I did not do much before.
Somehow it might be easier that way,
Do you think you are done with two very complicated years, since your big crystal globe in March 2021?
What is certain is that since this big globe, I had not been back on the top step of a podium.
I don't know if I'm done, but anyway, today I managed to fit together everything I could do at the time, and I clearly felt that the old was still Good.
I take up the words of Teddy (Riner) that I heard on Sunday after his victory in Paris.
Is this the greatest victory of your career?
If we are talking about a single event, yes, we can say that it is my best career victory.
Afterwards, it is full of history, I win in France, in my station, which adds something that is an extra soul.
What did your last season bring you, when you said you hit rock bottom?
I think it allowed me to ask myself the right questions, to ask myself if I still wanted to continue and if today I'm still here, it's because I still had the motivation.
It allowed me to go deep within myself to see what I wanted.
Afterwards, we had to be able to put it all back in shape.
Last year, I fell behind on the development of the material, which showed on the start of the current season.
And then on these Worlds, the deal is different because they are separate events.
the proof is, I arrive here with only one podium in two years and I am world champion.
All this experience has allowed me to learn what I am capable of, and that
Does your super-G round give you any ideas for Thursday (date of the actual super-G event)?
I don't know, because it will be another day, with more athletes, with others who will start with a better bib, like Odermatt who will not start with number 31. I think my super G today today was very good and there I have to rest and enjoy too.
I think I want to enjoy it a bit and then we'll take it step by step.
The super-G is a discipline where I have fun, where I've managed to get good results since the start of the season and where I feel pretty good on my skis.
So we'll see.
Your title is also a great springboard for the whole French team…
I think it's a good start.
I know what it's like to arrive in the second week when there have been no medals and there is a shortage.
At that time, there is a form of anxiety that happens among coaches, athletes, just about everyone in fact… So I hope that this title will benefit everyone.
French world champions
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