hope, disappointment and comfort… Perrine Laffont’s final lived with the French clan

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“It’s the Olympics, we’re waking up! Everyone’s asleep while we’re going to see Perrine there!” In the TG-Z 01 bus towards Genting Snow Park, the teams of the French delegation give voice. The usual calm of these Olympic shuttles is broken by the French enthusiasm which breaks towards the mogul ski slope where, in a few minutes, Perrine Laffont will defend her Olympic title, Sunday February 6th.

Four years after the coronation of Pyeongchang, the 23-year-old Ariégeoise knows she is expected. His final – shared with his friend Camille Cabrol, qualified at the last minute – must be the first great French moment in Beijing. And if in the end the gold was not there, it will still have been strong in emotions for the tricolor clan.

It is a little after 7:30 p.m. at Genting Snow Park. Under the gaze of a well-behaved public, who were forbidden to applaud except during dance cam on a giant screen, the women’s mogul ski final begins. The freezing cold does not really encourage the few dozen spectators to ignite, so it is the announcer of the place who sticks to it with the help of an eclectic playlist that is not always inspired. To find harmony, it is rather necessary to take a look at the track where the first competitors meander between the bumps.

In the finish area, around thirty tricolor coats are gradually gathering and warmly applauding Camille Cabrol’s first run. Around Martin Fourcade, we recognize under their mask and hat snowboarders, biathletes, or members of the staff, but also the president of the French Ski Federation, Anne-Chantal Pigelet: “I am the most loyal supporter of all the athletes of the Federation. There are a lot of people tonight for Perrine. She is a very beautiful skier, confirmed, even if she has a little pressure on her shoulders”.

The day after Benjamin Cavet’s frustrating 4th place in the men’s category, the president of the FFS hopes for a happier outcome: “When there is a human factor with grades, we are always dependent on a judgment that can be altered.”

The public during the women's moguls skiing final of the Beijing Olympics on February 6, 2022. (AH)

A few meters away, we find the unfortunate hero of the day before, who says he has a bitter taste in his mouth because of his chocolate medal. But Benjamin Cavet is there to support “Pépette”, like all the others: “Everyone knows it’s a good chance for a medal and wants to enjoy the show. We’re going to watch Perrine ski and enjoy the evening. We’re going to have a great show, the wind has calmed down so the girls are going to be able to speak tonight”.

Just eliminated after a fair first run, Camille Cabrol joins the tricolor kop which forms at the bottom of the track.

After having “100% loved” her final, Perrine Laffont’s friend gives voice to her roommate in the Olympic Village: “I haven’t even taken the time to change, I just want to give him all the energy he needs. It makes me happy to give him everything I have left because I don’t I don’t need it anymore (laughs). She was good on the first run, she made two small mistakes on the second but she is in the 6, so she just has to show what she is capable of in the last run.”

Between two rounds, we hop to the rhythm of the music to thaw our toes while the six finalists embark on the small chairlift which takes them up to the top of the track.

Noisier than its neighbors – despite strong competition from the Australian clan – the French delegation serves the ranks. The “Come on Pep” and “Go ahead Pepette” fuse in the icy cold of the Genting Snow Park. And even covered by the soundtrack, we imagine these encouragements reaching the top of the track where Perrine Laffont rushes in second position.

In a warm atmosphere, the Ariégeoise puts down her run. But a chilling silence freezes the finish area. With a score of 77.36, Laffont temporarily takes the lead but we quickly understand that this score will not be enough to bring gold to Paris. However, the hope of a medal is reborn after the run, less good, of the Japanese Anri Kawamura. In the tricolor clan, eyes meet and sparkle again.

But the last three finalists pose better runs than Perrine Laffont according to the jury. A cruel outcome for the tricolor champion. “It sucks, that’s for sure”, reacts hot Camille Cabrol. “I’m proud of her. She did the right run. The front three were stronger than her today. It’s hard because the Games are only every 4 years, but Perrine remains the best athlete of her generation. The Olympics in one day, make or break. Today, it didn’t happen.”

A little apart from the group, Benjamin Cavet takes the time to digest. Leaning on the barrier, he waits for Perrine Laffont to comfort her, him the 4th from the day before: “She got us so used to excellence that we expect her to be impervious to any pressure. She was that for 4 years, she didn’t give in once. It was a tough race for her tonight, she remains 4th at the Olympics! She is only 23 years old, she has won absolutely everything in mogul skiing…”

A promise confirmed by Camille Cabrol, as the tricolor delegation quickly left the scene, heads bowed, which contrasted with the enthusiasm of the Australians a few meters away. “I will try to comfort her, to cheer her up,” promises Camille Cabrol before hugging her friend. “I don’t know if we’ll find sleep, but we’ll rest because the season isn’t over and there are plenty of great things to pick up. And then see you in 4 years!”.

Because her record of immense champion sometimes makes her forget, but Perrine Laffont will only be 27 years old at the next Olympics, in 4 years. And all the time to take his revenge, and to make France vibrate again. But for now, you have to get back on the bus for a return trip animated by the Australians, this time.


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