Auger had an atypical journey and was not predestined to compete at a high level. The French Pro Tour skier gives us an insight. 

“I started cross-country skiing with my grandmother without really competing. It was because all my friends were inside a ski club and competing that I decided to join them when I was 12.” 

“It was challenging, and I had first to learn how to classic. Then I started to race, but I was often the last in the competitions. I was not part of the regional groups for training, so I continued on my own until my 21. After a year spent in Sweden for my studies, I joined my first team in 2017, the ‘Haute Savoie Nordic Team.’”

You are one of the first athletes in France to focus 100% on double poling. Why and how did this choice come about?

“I had to participate in a classic race about a 1-hour drive from my place. That day had heavy snow, and the driving conditions were so bad. I joined the race location only 15 minutes before the start, so I decided not to use kick wax. I was already following double poling stars as Bill Impola, and I was like, ‘let’s try this.’ It turned out that I finished 3rd, and I was surprised by how efficient this technique is.” 

“Afterwards, I devoted myself to this technique because it suited very well my muscular and cardiovascular endurance capacities. People in France thought I was like a UFO, but I was convinced I was revolutionizing the classic long distances in my region.”

You have some great wins, such as La Transjurassienne, Marathon de Bessans, and Tartu Ski Maraton. What are your thoughts about that? 

“A few months after I joined the Haute Savoie Nordic team, I had my first win in Bessans, France. The feeling is hard to describe, but that season, everything was “flowing like water from a spring,” as we say in France! I was in shape; I had the skis and the mind. The synergy was perfect with my coach and manager. I won 5 races in the same season, of which the Tartu Marathon will remain my most beautiful memory.”

“Then I won some races, and I did a great performance in Vasaloppet 2019 with 27th place. Last year I also took second place in the Redbull Nordenskiöldsloppet.”

You just mentioned it: Vasaloppet. It has always been an important race for you, and you had this top 30th in 2019. Please tell us more about this race and what it means to you. 

“After winning in France and internationally on the Worldloppet tour, the goals have been redefined, and I decided to join Ski Classics. I immediately knew that Vasaloppet was right for me because of its distance and profile. I have rarely been outside the top 50 despite problems with equipment, bad waxing, or broken poles. I’m a bit frustrated because I’ve always been very good at preparing for this race. In 2019 I had very good skis but not much experience, I kept John Kristian Dalh’s skis, and that was the right strategy. I even remember the number he had, 44.”

“I also like the atmosphere around this race. Everyone wants to be at the top on this day! It’s the long-distance skier’s Christmas.”

And what made you decide to stop your high-level career now?

“I decided to stop my high-level career because, in the last three years, I have not achieved the sporting goals I set for myself. Financially it’s difficult to be on top when the results are not so good, and it’s a daily source of stress. In France, we are not recognized for what we do and have no salary.” 

“Despite the hard work of all our team staff, I did not manage to optimize my physical capacities with this training method. It’s not a big deal depending on the athlete, but I struggled to be 100%.”

Will we see you again at the start of some races in the future? 

“It’s very likely; we plan to live in Sweden with my girlfriend. So if the Persson brothers (I’m good friends with Nils) agree to let me join some training sessions, I’ll start some races to benefit from my shape.”

“I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank the whole Ski Classics team for all they do. Ski Classics is made up of incredible, caring teams and people. I have always embraced this philosophy. Extremely hard races that are real challenges. We have pushed the limits of skiing, and we can be proud!”

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consisted of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.