Cross-country skier wins national titles

Cross-country skier Manon Pradel Mayer has won two national titles in the U18 category during the summer championships, continuing her impressive performance after victories in the U15 National Challenge and the U16 season.

Success in French Summer Championships

At the French Summer Championships in Autrans (Isère), Manon Pradel Mayer secured gold and silver medals. She later won six out of ten races in the French Cup, including the classic individual event at the FESA Games.

Victory in skate mass-start event

At the French Championships in Prémanon (Jura), Manon Pradel Mayer won the skate mass-start event, which was contested with the U18 category. She continued her success by winning two national titles in Bessat (Loire) at the start of the month.

Surprise at her own performance

"I really didn't expect it at all," Manon Pradel Mayer told Nordic Magazine. She was shocked by her double victory, even though she had already participated in the Vincent Vittoz Challenge, which gave her an idea of her standing in the competition.

Dominance in classic sprint

Representing the Savoie Ski Committee, Manon Pradel Mayer dominated the classic sprint. She credited a new warm-up routine for her success in the event, which she usually does not excel in.

Overcoming a difficult start

In the final, Manon Pradel Mayer did not start well and finished last in the pack after the first ascent of the course. However, she managed to recover and won at the photo finish by taking a strategic passage on the left.

Victory in 10 km skate race

The next day, Manon Pradel Mayer triumphed in a 10 km skate individual race. She credited starting behind a competitor of similar level for her success and skied in her tracks for the entire second lap.

Avoiding complacency

Although she has been successful, Manon Pradel Mayer is cautious about getting too confident. She acknowledges that everything can change on snow and emphasizes the importance of staying focused.

Early start in cross-country skiing

Manon Pradel Mayer began cross-country skiing in her family garden at just 2 years old. Her parents enrolled her at the Nordic Club of Aydat, where she enjoyed training and achieved good results in departmental races.

Future goals and aspirations

For the upcoming winter, Manon Pradel Mayer aims to compete in the U18 French Cup, qualify for the FESA Games, and the European Youth Olympic Festival. Her ultimate goal is to join the Excellence 2030 group in the spring of next year.