Perrine Laffont in October 2022 during her visit to L’Equipe. (S. Mantey/The Team)
After Ten Successful Seasons, Perrine Laffont Takes a Break from World Cup
David Michel | Updated November 15, 2023 at 8:13 a.m.
With less than three weeks to put on skis again in competition, Perrine Laffont has made the decision to skip the 2023-2024 World Cup season. The 2018 Olympic champion, who will not be in Ruka in Finland on December 2 and 3 for the first stage, feels the need to take a long break. “Perrine Laffont decides to take a break from competition for a few months in order to refine her preparation by implementing significant in-depth athletic and mental work. Maintaining freshness, desire and working to continue to surprise and get ahead of your opponents are her objectives,” we can read in the press release.
A year and a half after her disappointment at the Beijing Olympics, where she narrowly missed the podium, Laffont had contemplated the possibility of ending her career. However, she returned to the sport with renewed determination, supported by a new coaching staff from the French team and a personal trainer, Anthony Benna, a former champion in the discipline with whom she developed a close coaching relationship.
Although she had a slow start to the season, Laffont finished strong by winning the World Cup ranking last winter and achieving victory in the single-parallel double at the Bakuriani Worlds. However, unlike her teammates from the French team, she did not resume training in May.
The 2026 Olympics in Sight?
After enduring ten grueling World Cup seasons since the age of 15, Laffont decided to take an extended break to recharge. She returned to training in September to assess her motivation for the upcoming season, but not all signs are positive.
This decision to take a break does not necessarily imply the end of her career, as Laffont has expressed her desire to compete in the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. To date, she has achieved 54 World Cup podiums, including 30 victories.
In October, she participated in the promotion of the impactful documentary “Strong,” which addresses the topic of depression in high-level sports, alongside Camille Lacourt and Jérémy Florès.
Published on November 15, 2023 at 8:02 a.m. | Updated November 15, 2023 at 8:13 a.m.
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2 Responses
It’s great to see athletes prioritizing their well-being and taking time to recharge. Perrine Laffont’s decision to step back and focus on regeneration shows a commendable commitment to long-term performance. Wishing her a rejuvenating break and a successful comeback!
It’s great to see athletes prioritizing their well-being and recognizing the importance of regeneration. Perrine Laffont’s decision to take a break from the World Cup Season exemplifies the dedication to both physical and mental health that all athletes should strive for. Wishing her a restful and rejuvenating break!