Steven Amiez has had a great start to the season. Sixth place in the Lévi slalom, fourth in Gurgl and this Sunday, December 15 in Val-d'Isère, the skier from Courchevel hopes to get his first career podium, or even more. Playing at home, Steven Amiez likes it and, what's more, he can count on his fan club created last year.
Steven, what were the feelings in training before this Sunday's slalom?
They were good. We had two beautiful days on the Bellevarde face last week, each time with different snow conditions. It was interesting to ski it in all its forms. It's a track where I feel good. I often do good training on it, I ski fast. I'm starting to know her better. It's been a good two days to get your bearings. And then, we had two good days in Courchevel, at the stadium, with a slope reminiscent of that of the face. It was interesting to prepare, with snow conditions approaching the race. I feel good, fast, strong too. And it’s a track that requires solidity. So that bodes well.
With the results obtained at the start of the season, do you arrive with a certain confidence?
Yes of course. It helps to have confidence, you are more free on the skis. We manage to do things that we didn't necessarily do before. It's better to arrive with good results than nothing. I am positive and calm. But I know that's not everything. You will have to give 100% and draw on your resources to give everything. Having more confidence helps you approach the race calmly and focused.
“This is the first time I’m going to spend a day like this”
Does being in competition in France give you extra soul?
Yes, it adds a good extra soul. I love running in France and in front of this crowd. It gives more motivation, more energy than it puts pressure on me. It boosts me. It's also going to be the first time that I'm going to ski in front of my fan club who are traveling for the first time in competition. It was created last year. It'll be nice to run in front of them. They took 120 places in front of the face. I think it will make a bit of noise. It puts me in a good position to show what I do every weekend and show them even better. It doesn't put any extra pressure. In the starting hut, there is only me. But the rest of the day, it's always nice to feel supported. And make people happy. This is the very essence of high-level sport.
Who makes up this fan club?
There are people from Courchevel, from all over France. There are around 250 members, that's not bad. For a first year, for the creation of the fan club it's cool. These are people who support me. There are some from my village, from my station in Courchevel, and it makes everyone happy to come together to support me. And that warms my heart. It's the first time I'm going to spend a day like this, I can't wait. It's also rewarding. It rewards a lot of years of work. People believe in you, support you. And if they believe in you, that can give you extra soul. That only gives me more. I'm going to use this to go faster on skis.
With such support, do we have to get at least a podium?
Yes, obligatory. This is the goal at all races. I don't put myself in that podium or nothing mindset. I put myself in the mindset of doing my best skiing over two runs. That's not what I managed to do in the two slaloms at the start of the season. If I can do it, I know I won't be far from the podium. Afterwards, on the day of the race we cross the finish line of the second round and see what happens.
