A former biathlete and a FESA Cup champion, Victor Cullet Calderini and Mattéo Correia are the two newcomers in the French World Cup training group for the 2026/2027 season.

Victor Cullet Calderini and Mattéo Correia have been named to the French national team’s World Cup training group for the 2026/2027 season, as confirmed in a recent press release from the French Ski Federation.

Read More: French cross-country skiing teams for season 2026/2027

Who is Victor Cullet Calderini?

Victor Cullet Calderini, 24, has an atypical background. A former biathlete, he returned to cross-country skiing at 21 years old, and the transition has paid off. Last season, he was already in the French national training group B, where he posted strong results on the FESA Cup circuit with four podiums and second place in the overall ranking.

According to an interview with ProXCskiing.com, Cullet Calderini was relieved when his selection was confirmed.

“I was very happy and relieved because there were other people who also deserved their place and who could qualify for this selection.”

Having made his World Cup debut in January 2025, he also sees the promotion as a chance to grow.

“This represents a great opportunity to progress in contact with the best people of my country, to try to draw inspiration from them and become stronger.”

After 11 World Cup starts, he has clear ambitions for the season ahead.

“I would like to establish myself more consistently in the World Cup, and this time arrive in good form from the start. But for me, the important goal at the start of the season will be the Tour de Ski, which starts in Les Rousses, France, in January 2027.”

Who is Mattéo Correia?

Mattéo Correia, 23, took a different path to the national team. After solid results on the FESA Cup, he made his World Cup debut last winter season in Falun and Lahti in March 2026.

The 2025/2026 season was a breakthrough: five podiums, including two wins on the FESA Cup circuit, were enough to clinch the overall ranking. He rounded off his season by winning the mass-start at the French Championships in late March 2026.

“It’s a lot of pride, obviously,” he said of his selection and added, “When you’re young, you dream of this kind of moment, so seeing it become real is special.”

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Correia knows the step up will demand more from him:

“With my entourage, we built solid foundations over the years, and now I’m entering another dimension, with even more demand and a very high level.”

He is also keeping perspective on what lies ahead.

“Everything goes faster; everything is more intense. There are athletes around me who have already shown great things in recent seasons, especially with the Olympics.”

“It makes you want to make further progress and look far ahead, especially around 2030 in France. But we must keep our feet on the ground, because there are already big deadlines ahead, like the Tour de Ski in France next year or the World Championships in Falun,” referring to the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, scheduled for February 22 to March 7, 2027.

Also Read: FIS unveils 2026/2027 cross-country skiing World Cup calendar

He also stressed the mental demands of the step up:

“Mentally too, you’ll have to be strong, because the World Cup requires a lot of consistency and energy over an entire season.”

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