New French generation looking to shine in Snowboard Cross

The current FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup season has been impressive for France. With four World Cup races completed, French riders have picked up eight podium places and a further three fourth places.

On the men’s side, there are five French riders in the top 11 in the overall World Cup standings, led by Aidan Chollet in second place; Lea Casta is second in the women’s standings, with Manon Petit Lenoir fifth and another three athletes in the top 20.

“This season, France is proving that it is present and has the potential to compete for podiums in every race, both in the women's and men's categories. Our team has had potential for several seasons now, and it's only a matter of time before we can battle it out with other nations,” says Merlin Surget, who is currently 10th overall after third and fourth places in Beidahu.

“I’m so lucky to be in this team, it motivates me enormously. We drive each other towards the top and push our limits day after day. The atmosphere is also excellent, which is very important for performance,” says Petit Lenoir, whose third place in Cortina added to two previous top-10 finishes this season.

That team unity is the key, believes Chollet.

“What makes this team strong is the fact that we train hard – that's the coach's motto. With so many different talents, we push each other to new heights and strive to bring out the best in ourselves every day in training, whether on the snow or during the summer,” adds Surget.

French success in Snowboard Cross is, of course, not new. Since the discipline’s introduction to the Winter Olympic Games at Torino 2006, French athletes have won two gold, three silver and three bronze medals – Pierre Vaultier winning back-to-back titles at the Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Meanwhile Chloe Trespeuch was last year’s women’s Crystal Globe winner, and Vaultier was the overall World Cup champion on six occasions. France has taken the Nations Cup for the last two years.

Asked who has inspired them, the current squad list the likes of Trespeuch, Vaultier and Nelly Moenne Loccoz. Moenne Loccoz, who was competing as recently as 2020, is now one of the team coaches.

“Chloe has inspired me enormously – what an opportunity to be by her side,” says Petit Lenoir. “My coach Nelly also, and Pierre Vaultier – how can I forget him? He’s been a huge example in my career and in our sport.”

Surget also names Moenne Loccoz and Vaultier.

Casta counts Vaultier as an inspiration, but also looks to two members of the current squad, saying: “Julia Pereira also for the strength which she showed when she was still very young, showing everyone that it was possible to be among the best. And also Manon Petit Lenoir for her perseverance and her courage, after being seriously injured.”

The team want to use their success to make Snowboard Cross bigger in their home country.

“It’s incredibly telegenic and amazing to watch – I wish it were broadcast more often, and that French media would play a bigger role in promoting us and helping our sport grow. They often talk about it during the Olympic Games, but not much afterward. It’s up to us to get results and change that,” Surget says.

Those results lately have included such thrills as the men’s semifinal in Beidahu where Surget, Loan Bozzolo, Quentin Sodogas and Julien Tomas went head-to-head, with Bozzolo and Surget progressing to the big final; or the women’s big final in Cortina, featuring Casta, Petit Lenoir and Pereira against Charlotte Bankes (GBR).

Chollet agrees.

“Competing against your teammates is only good. It’s always cool to ride with your friends, because we want to go to the next round with each other,” he adds.

Surget is a little more competitive.

“It’s always a strange feeling,” he says. “We’re friends in everyday life, but when it’s race time, no friend anymore, and may the best one win.

“Now, there are several French riders who can compete in the finals, so it’s almost guaranteed that at least one of us will be there. We’re starting to get used to it, but that’s not a bad thing.”

The team are now preparing for the next World Cup stop, in Erzerum, Türkiye, which also includes the season’s first team event.

Chollet, coming into the World Cup off the back of his victory in Cortina, says: “In Türkiye I hope to ride as usual, enjoy my riding, and if I can look for a podium place I will do it without hesitation.”

“I’ve been very consistent since the start of the season, so I hope to continue on that path,” says Casta, who is chasing Bankes’ lead in the rankings.

Meanwhile Petit Lenoir, who has faced her share of trials in the past years, says: “I hope to continue on this path, reach more podiums and above all, to enjoy being on the snowboard."