By dominating the combined Alpine Skiing World Championships on Tuesday in Courchevel, in the resort where he partly grew up, the Frenchman Alexis Pinturault won his “greatest victory”, an “unhoped-for” title after his “difficult start to the season”.
What flavor does this title of world champion have?
It’s quite incredible, especially since it was not necessarily expected. I necessarily had the desire, the motivation to give the best of myself for this event. But you had to be realistic as well: I’m having a start to the season where I’m only on the podium, I’m regularly in the top six-seven but never on the podium. So to be able to look for a gold medal was unexpected. Maybe my start to the season helped: if I arrive and I’m one of the favourites, a lot is automatically expected of me and that’s normal. There, I arrive in a situation where I did not do much. So maybe it’s easier, in a way.
What difference is there on an emotional level between this world title and that of 2019, in the combined of Are (Sweden)?
This medal alone will put the medals of the other World Championships completely in the background. If we talk about victory, of a single event, we can say that it is the most beautiful of my career. It’s full of stories: I win in France, and even more, in my station, so that adds an extra soul.
How did you manage to bounce back after your bad seasons?
I think I really want to take advantage of this fortnight in front of this public, in my station, in front of my family and my friends. That was the most important thing: to be able to take advantage of this atmosphere, this chance. I know that a world championship in my village, I will only live one. It’s a chance that is not given to many athletes, but it is given to me, so I wanted to surf on it.
Do you think you can serve as a springboard for the France team?
It’s a good start. I know what it’s like to come into week two with no medals. Automatically, there is a little more pressure, a form of anxiety, whether among the coaches, the media, the athletes, we begin to perceive it. It can be good for everyone.