Meeting with Jules Chappaz, professional cross-country skier
"I like Authentic Nutrition products because they provide me with everything I need during my training and competitions, with a delicate flavor, not too sweet, and above all, very digestible products. My favorite product is the Authentic Booster+ lemon/lime, it accompanies me during almost all my sessions and allows me to avoid hypoglycemia."
Can you tell us about your sport, cross-country skiing?
It's a sport that combines sliding and endurance. It's obviously practiced on snow, mostly on groomed trails.
It complements running and cycling.
It's an easily accessible sport since it requires little equipment and no ski lifts!
Personally, I do both classic and skating skiing, sprinting and distance skiing.
What do you particularly like about this discipline?
The atmosphere, the snow, practicing outdoors amidst beautiful scenery. And also the mix of performance and sliding.
What I particularly like about high-level skiing is the high volume of training it requires.
What circuits do you compete on?
I'm part of the French cross-country ski team, in the "World Cup Sprint" group (6 members). I compete on the European Cup circuit, which takes place over six weekends per season (with three races each). I also participate in the U23 Junior World Championships.
What were your results from last season? And your ambitions for this new season?
My 2020/2021 season was interrupted from mid-January to mid-March due to mononucleosis, then an injury in June 2021. I still made the top 20 in the World Cup sprint in Davos and was runner-up in the French sprint championship.
For this new season, I want to get back to a good level of skiing and I hope to reach the podium at the U23 World Championships in February in Norway. It will be the last time I'll be able to participate!
In the medium term, I want to perform as well as possible on the European Cup circuit to compete in the World Cups and the Olympic Games. To compete in the Olympics, you have to perform as well as possible in the World Cup, meaning you have to be among the top 8-9 French athletes.
What's your training routine like?
I don't really have a routine. Basically, every day, I do two daily workouts, meaning one training session in the morning and one in the afternoon. I alternate between intense workouts (mostly in the morning), bodybuilding, skiing, and running.
I have 10 days of training per month with the French team. The rest of the time, I train alone or with the La Clusaz Club.
While waiting for the real snowfall, I was able to train in Davos, on a 7km snow-farming track, and also on the one in La Clusaz.
In spring and summer, I run, cycle, and do a lot of roller skiing.
My weekly training ranges from 10 to 25 hours, for an annual volume of 850 hours over 11 months.
How do you manage nutrition during training and competition?
I consume the Authentic Booster+ sports drink once a day, usually during the morning session, the longest of the day, regardless of the sport.
In competition, I often eat half a Flapjack between qualifying and the final phase. I eat another half at the end of the competition to replenish my reserves.
In sprint events, I don't consume any drinks—except between heats. In long-distance events, I prepare my own refreshment: sports drink and diluted fluid gel.
I consume Authentic Fluid Gel on very long bike rides.
Any advice for young people who want to take up cross-country skiing?
Don't hesitate to take the plunge! It's a fun discipline; you get some fresh air and exercise in a beautiful setting.
Are you pursuing any studies alongside your athletic pursuits?
Yes, I'm a sports and physical education student in Grenoble. I benefit from a special program for high-level athletes: six weeks of classes in the spring and some homework.
Interview by Aurélie Joubin