“We trust the young people!”
Mar 26, 2019·Nordic Combined
Maxime Laheurte and François Braud put an end to their international careers at the Viessmann FIS Nordic Combined World Cup finals in Schonach. They have been an essential part of the French Nordic Combined team for almost a decade, being a part of the French “golden generation”, the Team World Champions of 2013. In this edition of TUESDAY TALK, they took a long look back at their careers.
François, Maxime, you concluded your long career in Schonach. Beyond the race, how did you experience this last day of World Cup?
Maxime Laheurte: I no longer had the “weapons” to fight for a good result this weekend. So the idea was to store a lot of memories, to enjoy every moment without pressure. To take a champagne shower in the middle of the race will remain a sacred memory!
François Braud: Well, it was very wet and we were a bit frustrated at not being able to jump because of too much wind. But in the morning when I got up I told myself this time, it's the last stress, it's the last warm-up ... I made sure to savour each of my routines and preparations.
The past season has been quite delicate both in terms of the results but also on the human level with the change of the head coach in the midst of the season. Did you maybe dream of a different scenario for your last season?
Braud: I was dreaming of another season in terms of results and atmosphere. I would have liked to show my best level at some of the World Cups. I found my level right at the end of the season, so I leave on a positive note and the team spirit finally came back at the end as well.
Laheurte: Of course an end of career should have another flavour. Despite everything I have no regrets, I fought at every moment. Nothing worked at the beginning of the season, we had to react but it was hard to catch up.
What are your best and worst memories from your career in Nordic Combined?
Laheurte: My most painful memory is probably our fourth place in Vancouver in 2010. I was not prepared to experience this and I managed the emotional situation very badly. My best memory is also a collective one with the title in 2013 ... no need to be prepared for that! (laughs)
Braud: My worst memory is my 36 metre jump in Chaux-Neuve in 2015. That was a complete nightmare, in which I wasn’t able to take off in the jumping hill and showed my worst in front of my supporters. I really did not know what to do if I should just hide. My best memory will always be my, our first world championship medal, the team title in Val di Fiemme in 2013, an emotion that still give me thrills.
You have experienced the joy of the World Championship team title in 2013 (also in 2015 for François in the Team Sprint with Jason Lamy Chappuis) but the Olympic Games have always eluded the French team. How, in hindsight, do you analyse this "failure"?
Laheurte: I do not know. I think that often we have not been able to free ourselves from the high stakes and the pressure. I speak for athletes but also for the coaching staff. It's really a very special situation to manage.
Braud: Yes, the Olympics have always escaped us, collectively and individually, apart from Jason in 2010. Looking back, I think we made some mistakes in the preparation, sometimes regarding the material, the composition of jumping, waxing ... or maybe it is just that the Olympics did not want us! (laughs)
Beyond your respective results, which values will you take away from your elite-level sports career?
Laheurte: It is certain that the result list counts at the end of a career but what stands above all is the way we have evolved as a person. The life of high-level athletes is full of surprises, encounters, successes and especially failures. You have to use all of this to grow each day. It is necessary to be daring but above all you have to be very humble at the same time because nothing remains given.
Braud: I will keep only incredible moments! This sport has taught me everything, made me grow up. Since I have been very young, we travelled around the world and what we shared with the team creates such strong links between us. We learned a lot by sharing. It's a small sport, and values such as respect, team effort and sharing are essential.
How does it feel like to leave the generation of Antoine Gérard, Laurent Muhlethaler and Edgar Vallet, who will compose, from next season, the core of the French team?
Braud: I’m expecting lots of World Cup points! (laughs) Despite the fact that we are a small nation, we have proven that we can be the best in the world. We achieved very good things and demonstrated that we must not set limits.
Laheurte: I have tried to pass on a little more of my experience in recent months, to be rigorous and to fight in difficult times. I tried to show them that you have to be 100% involved every day to make it work.
How do you imagine Nordic Combined will develop in the coming years, especially in France?
Laheurte: I do not worry too much because I think it can go very fast. We know that you can already be very successful in the World Cup in your early twenties. We have Mael Tyrode, Matéo Baud, Lilian Vaxelaire, Edgar Vallet, Théo Rochat and others who can show great performances at any time. Now they really have to believe it and I think Jérome, Etienne and the other coaches have this ambition.
Braud: It is certain that before having a team that will fight for medals it will be necessary to wait some time but Antoine Gérard, Laurent Muhlethaler or even Edgar Vallet, they can do very beautiful things in the World Cup from next season on already. The people who work for the French team are ultra motivated, coaches, technicians, athletes. So I do not worry, it's not because we stop, it's over. I trust the young people.
And finally, what will you be doing next?
Laheurte: For the moment I have a short-term vision with the arrival of our second child, to stay a little more at home. Afterwards, I’ll have some projects but I'll enjoy myself and my family for a few months.
Braud: I will continue in the army, to whom I owe a great deal. It will be in Chamonix at the EMHM.
Interview courtesy of Nordic Magazine
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