3 words that define you as an athlete?
Passionate. Persevering. Respectful.
3 values that define you as a person?
Authenticity, curiosity, determination.
Why do you feel you belong to the Cimalp family?
The CIMALP family really caught my attention for all the values it stands for. There is a genuine commitment to showcasing quality products and the team are true enthusiasts. It is a French brand that wants to invest in projects linked to the mountains and respect for nature. That naturally speaks to me.
What is your best and worst mountain memory, and why?
Best memory: my finish at the Echappée Belle (85km). It was my first long race and I hadn't chosen the easiest one. I had just moved to Chambéry. When I entered, I had no idea that the Belledonne Massif was so technical and demanding. After a race that went fairly well, with a tough finish, I can still picture myself in tears at the bottom of the last descent, spotting the Aiguebelle sign — it was nearly 11:30pm. I crossed the line as first woman, but above all I was just thrilled to have completed that race with so much joy.
Worst memory: Trail du Jura (100km). Injured, I decide to toe the start line anyway. Deep down, I wasn't really up for it but I had to validate the race if I wanted any hope of doing the TDS the following year. The start fires in the night under a light snowfall. It's cold. From the 20th km — if not the 1st — it became a real ordeal. At every aid station I told myself I wouldn't set off again, but my loved ones managed to push me all the way to the finish. By the end of the course I was limping, every impact on the ground making me grimace in pain. At the finish I had promised myself I wouldn't cry, but the relief of it being over was too overwhelming. An hour after finishing, I couldn't put my foot on the ground.
What do the mountains inspire in you?
I love them because they blend fascination, euphoria and a sense of freedom with fear, apprehension and shivers all at once. The beauty of the landscapes invites pure admiration: the peaks and valleys, the eternal snows, the torrents and waterfalls. It is also an invitation to a certain kind of humility in the face of these elements.
What is your relationship with the environment and ecology?
For a few years now, I have been paying close attention to environmental issues and try every day to do my small part (buying more locally, seasonally, consuming less, rethinking my lifestyle…). I spent 3 years working on environmental challenges linked to the impacts of tourism activities and was very involved in associations in Paris. But I now prefer to channel that energy on a personal level.
Another great passion or talent beyond sport?
The natural powers of the human body and traditional medicine.
