French skier Laurie Flochon Joly of Team Nordic Experience, has made waves on the Ski Classics Pro Tour this season. Laurie has had consistently strong performances this season and a second place at the recent Kobberløpet, a Ski Classics Challengers race in Sulitjelma, Norway. 

We caught up with Laurie after her podium to reflect on her season, her journey to long-distance racing, and what’s next.

After her second-place finish over the weekend, Laurie shared her enthusiasm to finish off the season with Kobberløpet “I was really excited to race because Vebjørn Moen, the local legend, told me a lot about this race!”

Coming off an illness that sidelined her for Reistadløpet and left her less than 100% at Summit 2 Senja, she was uncertain about her form. “All the week before Kobbe, I was very tired and slept more than I trained, so I was also a bit curious to see how my body would react,” she said. “So I’m happy with the second place, even if I would have liked to finish with a win.”

Stepping Up in the Pro Tour

This season marked a noticeable leap for the French skier in the Ski Classics Pro Tour. So, what changed?

“In fact, it’s my second year as a full-time ‘pro skier’ trying to reach a higher level. So I’m happy to see the work paid off,” she said. “All summer I was really motivated. I tried not to start too hard in May and June, and then increased the volume — I trained more, especially during autumn and winter.”

She also credits her body adapting better after her first full season in the series. “I think after one season in Ski Classics, my body recovered much better and faster.”

Surprising Herself at Marcialonga

Among the standout races for her this winter was Marcialonga, where she placed 16th — her best result of the season.

“We had crazy good skis, so that helped a lot. But I felt really good, and we had a strong group of girls with Amélie, my teammate, and we worked well all together,” she said. “We caught the top 10 at Val di Fiemme stadium. Then I had a downturn — it started to get wetter, and I lost the group. But even if I prefer climb races, I had a lot of fun!”

From the French National System to the Long-Distance Dream

Skiing runs in the family for Laurie. “I started with my dad, who taught me to ski at 3 years old. He always pushed me and helped me with my skiing,” she said.

After college, she left home to pursue a spot on the French national team. “Like every skier in France, I started with national cups. I qualified for European Cups and the Winter Universiade in Russia in 2019.”

That same year, she placed second at her first Transjurassienne — a turning point. “I understood that I preferred long-distance and maybe had something for these kinds of races,” she said. “I really enjoyed the historical races like Birken, Vasaloppet, and Marcialonga — they were dream races for me.”

In 2022, Maxime from Team Nordic Experience reached out, and she didn’t hesitate. “I said yes — and that was the best decision of my small career!”

Dream Races, Proud Moments

Her favorite race? “Birken, so far. It was my first Ski Classics race in 2023,” she said. “When you come from France, Norway is the dream for a skier. I love the way Norwegians celebrate this event and cross-country skiing in general.”

This year’s edition was special — she fought hard for a top-15 finish. “Like my season, I’m still a little short of the top 15… but my body responded well on the climbs, and my parents were there. It was a beautiful day in the mountains.”

Vasaloppet is a close second. “It’s the biggest cross-country race — it’s just crazy to be 15,000 at the start,” she said. “As a woman, I’m proud to take part in this race, which was opened to women the year I was born (1997).”

She was emotional racing the 100th anniversary edition in 2023, but bad luck with a broken pole in the first climb held her back. This year, her skis didn’t cooperate. “So maybe the third one will be a better one?” she said, smiling. 

Looking Ahead (But after a rest!)

While the season has officially ended, she hasn’t started planning the next one just yet. “It’s difficult to think about next season — I don’t have anything clear for the moment.”

First, it’s time to rest and reset. “I’ll rest in the south of Norway at my boyfriend’s place, and I’m looking forward to having time with my family in France soon,” she said. “Celebrating with my sisters and friends — that’s the plan!”

And skiing won’t be the only thing on her mind. “I’ll also work in a restaurant — to think about something else than skiing!”

Read More: Time to rest: How the elite wind down after the season