Quarter-finals of France: the exceptional Sunday of the Charente cross country

The editorial team advises you

1. A historic harvest of medals

A profusion of medals. Twenty-one, not counting the team rankings. The specialists were unanimous in Cherves. The Charentais have never been as strong as this Sunday, at this level of racing. Almost single to double compared to Montendre last year (11 medals). With distinctions in each of the 13 races offered, except for the youngest and junior girls. And the last race mentioned was perhaps one of the toughest of the day.

Superlatives will eventually run out, especially since Charente went through a period of lean times in the 2010s. A harvest and a story of siblings. Of twins. Émie and Simon Durst both took second place in the minimal races. Among the cadets, after a team race and a big last lap, Cyrielle Yonnet is ahead of her sister Clémence on the line.

2. Charento-Charentais duel on the men’s cross court

Sunday, there was only one duel between Charentais. But what a battle! In the men's cross court, it was ultimately Léo Starck (Cognac AC) who got the better of Grégoire Gaucher (G2A). The two runners struggled through the mud and finished with the same time. Last year, Starck took 3^e place during the semis organized on the same field and Gaucher had participated in the long cross of the quarters, where he was ranked 16^e au scratch.

The editorial team advises you

3. Douheret and Zoller amazing on the long cross

As the sky began to fall on the athletes' heads, in the middle of the afternoon, several rays of Charente sun pierced the sky of Cherves-Richemont during the women's long cross. Including two, coming straight from G2A.

Léa Douheret, 26, started strong, held on and kept her 3^e place (2^e in the senior ranking). It was even she who brought the winner of the day, Charline Bise, back into contact with Julia Paduch, 2^ewithout managing to surpass the first two. Regardless, the performance is great.

Just like that of Lauryn Zoller (G2A), 5^e et 2^e best hope, which was not necessarily expected so high. And especially in front of Tatiana Leita Da Silva (Cognac AC) who takes 6^e place and wins in the M0.

4. Thomas Reau and Enzo Goyon shine in the long run

It was the most anticipated race of the day, with the victory of Yoann Kowal, 2014 European champion in the 3000m steeplechase. The men's long cross was spectacular, Thomas Reau (G2A) was very solid. Although he admitted a little disappointment after the finish line, he rose to the level of the best by taking 3^e place au scratch, 2^e senior. After a year 2024 rotten by injuries, the 8^e of France Élite 2023 over 5000 m seems to be back on top.

And the nice surprise came from his comrade Enzo Goyon (G2A). Passed hope this year, he won the race in his category, with an 8^e place for scratching. The young 19-year-old athlete dominated runners stronger than him on paper and reassured himself after a complicated autumn.