They started with alpine skiing before moving towards freeride: pioneer of the discipline and three-time freeride world champion, Francine Janet-Moreillon was the guest of the Après-Ski with Sybille Blanjean, winner of the Xtreme of Verbier in 2022 which will experience a new season among the Freeride World Tour from January.
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The example
Freeriders at heart, the two guests of the week are nonetheless attentive viewers of alpine skiing. They obviously didn’t miss Justin Murisier’s coronation on the descent of Beaver Creek. “This victory is so good. It’s proof that when we want to achieve our dreams we succeed,” confides Sybille Blanjean. Francine Janet-Moreillon was also thrilled by the performance of Le Bagnard, her neighbor in Prarreyer. “And even more than that, I was standing on the sofa,” she laughs.
The change
Since last season, freeride has been an integral part of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. To date, Sybille Blanjean admits not having felt a big difference. “Apart from the FIS logo, no,” she smiles. “But it’s coming together nicely. This winter, the overall winner should win a globe, as in the alpine. The FIS also announced the setting up of the first World Championships for 2026, it is also a step closer to possible Olympic Games one day,” rejoices the rider from Médières. “We will also have controls from the world anti-doping agency this season,” she announces. “This change can also allow new funding or the establishment of structures, in terms of sport studies in particular, which is a good thing,” adds Francine Janet-Moreillon
The memory
Triple freeride world champion at the end of the 90s, Francine Janet-Moreillon also has a past as a skier. In 1987, she was also an usher for the slalom and the downhill of the World Championships in Crans-Montana. “It was an incredible experience. And what can we say about this fervor which touched Valais but also the whole of Switzerland. Plus, the Swiss team won everything.”
The first
By video call, Delphine Darbellay looked back on her first success in the European Cup last week in Zinal. At the top of the giant and general classification in the antechamber of the World Cup, the Valais skier is approaching a start in the World Cup. What if it was in Semmering at the end of December? “There’s nothing official yet, but I might have my chance. I will try to continue my momentum and hope to seize this chance,” she smiles.
Ambitions
Sybille Blanjean is now one of the known faces of the Freeride World Tour. For his 4e season at this level, the Valaisanne hopes to return to the legendary Bec-des-Rosses. “The number one objective, and like every winter, is obviously to qualify again for the final in Verbier. Leaving with a little globe, since we are entitled to one like in the Alps now, would be cool too,” she laughs.
The sentence
“Pierce Brosnan didn’t know how to ski. Or he didn’t dare ski so as not to make a fool of himself.”
By Francine Janet-Moreillon, hilarious, who was Sophie Marceau’s understudy in the film “The World Is Not Enough”, 19th opus in the James Bond film series.
The number
5000, and dollars, the amount that the winners receive during a stage of the Freeride World Tour. “Aside from that, we also receive help from our brands. But I don’t ski for the money anyway, otherwise I would have turned to another sport,” smiles Sybille Blanjean.
Gregory Cassaz/Le Nouvelliste
Previous shows from season 2:
