Fourteen young Caledonian people went to the Paris International Roller Open in Paris, January 18 and 19. Six returned with medals. And the desire to go to the world championship.
“We lived a great adventure”, Comments Jeanne Vassard, the president of the Rolling Club of Dumbéa. On January 18 and 19, she accompanied 14 young practitioners at the Paris International Roller Open in Paris.
“We didn’t really know what to expect. It was our first international competition“Since the creation of the club in 2020. It has around sixty licensees, mostly young people. Like the 14 licensees left in Paris, aged 8 to 16.
“They had been trained so that they could have their chance. As in any competition, nothing is ever played in advance”Underlines Jeanne Vassard. Competition, its protégés do not know well. In Caledonia, there are none between clubs. “” “There are other clubs on the territory but above all specialized in roller hockey and not in artistic rollerblading”Explains the president. “” “We are the club that has the most licensees in this area.”
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Despite the lack of experience, his protégés returned with six medals. The result of their “pugnacity”, Main quality required to embark on artistic rollerblading according to Jeanne Vassard. Do not be afraid of trying, falling, getting up, trying, falling back … “You have to want to succeed.”
This desire, his group of competitors has it. “”They are very diligent. They trained tooth and nails”, At the rate of two training sessions per week, five hours on skates.
And now they dream of the artistic world roller championships in June. “” “All the skaters who participated in the Paris Open are invited to it but we do not yet know if we have the means to leave.“Financial and logistical means, to support young people outside school holidays.
Senegal
