(Mont-Tremblant) When Paula Moltzan arrives at a competition site, she rarely arrives alone.
The 29-year-old skier had already passed through Canadian customs when she responded to the call from The Press, Thursday morning. It was even 45 minutes from Mont Tremblant.
The American used her personal car from her residence in Massachusetts to travel to the fourth stop of the season. Her husband, who is also her technician, was on board.
However, M. and Mme Moltzan will not be the only ones to take on the Laurentian mountain over the weekend.
The whole family will be there, as is the case most of the time. Last week in Killington, the clan members were numerous, visible and noisy. In the front row at the edge of the track, they sported hockey vests with Moltzan’s name embroidered on the back, wore cowboy hats, rang their cow bells and held up signs with their favorite’s face. It has become commonplace and Moltzan is happy about it.
PHOTO NICHOLAS RICHARD, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
There were many members of Paula Moltzan’s clan last week at the World Cup in Killington.
“My husband’s father made all these sweaters and I think we’ll see several this weekend,” she assured.
It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to ski in front of them, but it obviously adds a layer of pressure. You don’t want to make mistakes, you obviously want to do well. So yes, it’s a little more stress, but it’s still your family before being fans.
Paula Moltzan
In progress
Her family’s encouragement paid off last week in Vermont, where she finished eighth in Saturday’s giant slalom and eighth in Sunday’s slalom. And this, with bibs that are not very advantageous. However, the Minnesota native was able to do well, buoyed by the energy of a won over crowd.
“I think I took a better direction at Killington. I skied well in Solden, but in Levi it’s always a little more difficult. So I always arrive a little more stressed during local races. Especially when you’re not skiing at your best. But I think having two good races at home allowed me to establish a good foundation. »
At the first race of the season, in Austria, she finished 11e and in Finland it recorded a 15e place and a fall in the first round.
At the same time, it’s a bit routine for Moltzan. She knows she is capable of integrating the top 5 or even get on the podium, but it is often slowed down around 10e place.
Last year she finished 12e rank in the general classification; 15e in slalom and 8e in giant slalom.
And it’s not for lack of will. Moltzan believes he is still making full progress, on the eve of his thirties, and his results prove it.
However, the level on the World Cup circuit is extremely high. Especially since some skiers are on the podium and some promising young athletes sporadically manage to make breakthroughs.
“It’s a very difficult sport in which everyone is very talented,” she explains. Sometimes when you think you have what it takes to make a top 5 and you don’t rank in the top 30, it can be very frustrating, because there is no one to hold accountable except you. And then you have to assimilate it, think about it, study it. We have to get up and it’s not easy. »
PHOTO LEONHARD FOEGER, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Paula Moltzan during the giant slalom in Solden, Austria, in late October
The end of the tunnel
Fortunately for the Olympian, she obtained confirmation last year that she had the necessary tools to finally aspire to great honors.
At the Semmering slalom in December, Moltzan climbed to the second step of the podium in complete delirium. She was first and waiting to see the final run of her teammate and friend Mikaela Shiffrin. The most prolific skier in history won, but seeing her friend finally climb onto the podium, she threw her poles and jumped crying into Moltzan’s arms, projecting all the light on her.
At the time, it was only his third top 5 in career. She has made three more since then.
And Moltzan looks back on this day of December 29, 2022 with enormous humility. “I think it was only one day where I was able to put together two good runs when I knew I had good skiing. I think it was a combination of good training and a good approach. »
At least she knew this that day: “If I can do two consistent, strong runs at my level, I can definitely finish on the podium.” »
However, alpine skiing is a sport of mistakes. And above all a sport of details. “There will always be mistakes and it’s a sport that is played on hundredths of a second. So when there are mistakes, but you ski well, I think you can still be able to show good things, even if the result is not representative. »
In these situations, the best way to evaluate your progress is to constantly question yourself. “Staying in a good mentality is a good indicator to measure how my season is going. So to find my bearings, I ask myself if I still love this sport and if the answer is yes, that means I’m on the right track. »
And if she ever doubts it, her family will be there to remind her.