As part of the Critérium de la Première Neige 2025, discover the interview with Clément Noël, the adopted child of Val d’Isère.
Over the summer, what did you focus on to keep improving?
“I haven’t necessarily focused my work on one particular point. It’s more a continuity in the work we do from year to year. We continue to develop our strengths and improve our weaknesses. I’ve worked hard this summer, and I’m going to keep up that momentum to arrive in the best possible shape when it really counts.” – Clément Noël
On the current circuit, which rivals push you the most to excel?
“There are a lot of opponents, some very good ones, even some formidable ones. It’s a very dense discipline, and that’s the beauty of slalom: it’s always very indecisive, with a lot of suspense. I don’t necessarily have a name in mind, but of course, there’s Henrik Kristoffersen, who’s been there for years. There are also the Norwegians Atle Lie McGrath and Timon Haugan, as well as Loïc Meillard, last year’s world champion, not forgetting the Swiss like Linus Straßer. And of course, there’s the French, with a really solid group. There are a lot of people out there, and you have to manage to stand out among all these athletes.” – Clément Noël
Do you have a special ritual just before departure?
“I think we all have a little ritual before the start, whether it’s superstition or simply habit. In any case, we all have our own routine to ensure we’re in the best possible condition when we set off. I don’t really have a precise ritual, I couldn’t say exactly what I do, but it’s pretty much always the same pattern: warm-up, getting information from the coaches, mental preparation, a bit of visualization, concentration… It’s a routine that’s repeated from race to race.” – Clément Noël
If you had to sum up Val d'Isère and the Critérium in three words, which would you choose?
“I’d say “home”, because it’s a bit of a home race. “Difficult”, because it’s a demanding run. And ‘mythical’, because the Face de Bellevarde is an iconic alpine ski run.” – Clément Noël
What's your fondest memory of the Critérium, on or off the track?
“On the track, I’d say 2021, it’s almost the only time I’ve had a good result at the Criterium, so it’s still pretty straightforward. Off the track, I remember Alexis Pinturault’s victory in 2012 in the night slalom. I was at the bottom of the slope, and it was really a great moment: there were lots of people and an incredible atmosphere. “Clément Noël
