The French national skicross team had a mixed result at the World Championships held in Saint-Moritz, Switzerland, where they celebrated a silver medal in the team event while grappling with missed opportunities in individual competitions.
On March 22, 2025, coach Michel Lucatelli assessed the team's performance revealing both pride and frustration. The team secured a silver medal in the team category but faced several fourth-place finishes that left room for disappointment. Lucatelli remarked, "The silver medal (in the team event) puts a balm on our hearts... The overall balance is positive. The findings are good but not exceptional. We had good races but no remarkable achievements."
Less than a year away from the 2026 Olympics, the skicross competition revealed talented athletes like Jade Grillet-Aubert and Melvin Tchiknavorian, who triumphed in the team event, claiming silver behind Switzerland’s formidable duo of Ryan Regez and Fanny Smith. This successful outing marked the first world title for the duo, who had previously achieved individual placements of fifth and eighth, respectively, on March 21. Team coach Michel Lucatelli expressed optimism regarding these results, particularly given the youth of his team. He stated, "We are on a four-year program. So it's quite encouraging."
Grillet-Aubert spoke about the thrill of achieving their first medal at the World Championships, saying, "This is a great milestone for us, and it highlights our progress leading into the Olympics." Their performance in the team event was characterized by intense competition, and Lucatelli noted their struggle against the top-level Swiss competitors. He highlighted the importance of preparing for the unique challenges presented by elite athletes.
The team faced significant hurdles during the Championships. While the pair of Marielle Berger-Sabbatel and Youri Duplessis-Kergomard also competed, they endured another frustrating fourth-place finish in the team event, putting them just shy of the podium for the second consecutive day. On March 21, they had hoped for better results after earning similar finishes in their individual competitions, but adverse weather conditions played a role in their performances.
Weather issues led to delays in the final races on March 22, with events pushed back by an hour. Despite taking a lead at moments during the finals, Duplessis-Kergomard and Tchiknavorian lost momentum leading to their ultimate fourth-place finish, prompting Lucatelli to acknowledge the fine margins separating success from disappointment.
Of particular note during the Championships was a controversial demotion of Duplessis-Kergomard in the final, which happened due to an irregular contact during the competition. Lucatelli criticized the decision, questioning the inconsistency of enforcement regarding contact rules. “For us, the decision is not good. We need to explore other video angles to consider an appeal,” he stated, adding that it was confounding for athletes to navigate the shifting standards and unclear guidelines in competition.
Luxatelli pointed out, “It’s perplexing; there are days when sanctions are given for similar infractions and days when they are ignored. It's hard to instruct our athletes on what is deemed acceptable.” The ambiguity in officiating was evident, as the same contact was labeled irregular under unclear circumstances, adding complexity to their strategies ahead of the Olympic games.
Reflecting on the larger context, Lucatelli noted, “We set ourselves this deadline; these World Championships were a rehearsal for the Games. For me, achieving results even determined four years ago remains the toughest goal to meet. However, we are competitive, and although we haven’t won individual medals, the density of our squad is promising.”
The performance of the French women’s team, finishing in 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th highlights the emerging talent within the French squad, a layer of hope that resonates amidst the mixed outcomes of the World Championships. According to Lucatelli, “We have two Frenchmen among the top eight,” referencing Duplessis-Kergomard and Tchiknavorian's established positions within the competitive field. He expressed confidence in their future potential, emphasizing their steady progress in the sport.
The French skicross team’s journey through the World Championships underlines not just the immediate results but the broader narratives of growth and preparation as they move closer to the Olympics. With talented athletes on the rise and Luatelli's steady guidance, the national team is looking to build on their recent performances.
