Jules CHAPPAZ, Hugo LAPALUS, Gérard AGNELLET and Theo SCHELY
The rising stars of French cross-country skiing, the four friends from the Sports Club go beyond their limits in search of victory. From their friendship arose a healthy spirit of competition, a fraternal rivalry. They agreed to a ‘Fast and Curious’ interview, a series of short questions calling for quick, spontaneous answers.
WINTER OR SPRING SKIING?
Jules: Winter
Théo: Yes, winter, -15°C with a bit of ski wax to go faster
Gérard and Hugo: Skiing in spring.
BEAUREGARD OR LES CONFINS?
Jules: Les Confins
Gérard: Beauregard, times 100
Théo: Beauregard, times 200
Hugo: Beauregard, times 1000!
BLOND OR BRUNETTE? LAGER OR BITTER?
Hugo: Do you mean beer or girls? Personally, I prefer brunettes and bitter.
Jules: I like everything, I’m easy to please!
Théo: But you’re not playing the game right… Blonds and lager for me.
Gérard: The same for me.
FILMS OR SERIES?
Jules: Both for me again! The series Breaking Bad. For films, French comedies like Le Dîner de Cons.
Théo: Wrong answer again from Jules. Series, Game of Thrones and Formula 1
Gérard: Both.
Hugo: Bad answer from Gérard, too! Series, Prison Break.
STANDUP PADDLEBOARDING OR PEDALO?
Gérard: Neither. I don’t like the water!
Théo: Standup paddleboarding
Jules and Hugo: A pedalo with friends.
FOOTBALL OR RUGBY?
All: Football. We’re all big supporters of FC Aravis!
AFTERNOON NAP OR NOT?
Jules: Recently I discovered the perfect nap: 7 minutes exactly, between lunch and a weights session.
Gérard: No nap.
Hugo: Short nap.
Théo: Long nap.
ARE YOU EARLY OR LATE?
Jules: Early. Because to be on time means you are already late.
Gérard: In general early, but it depends on why.
Théo: I am transitioning towards being late…
Hugo: I’m there already!
1 – HUGO LAPALUS, AGE 23
THE BOSS
The world under 23 champion over 15 km, ranked as the best in his category on the World Cup circuit, Hugo has already racked up 10 French champion titles in all disciplines. Some people are predicting he will have as brilliant a career as Vincent Vittoz, the great champion from La Clusaz.
2 – JULES CHAPPAZ, AGE 22
THE ENTHUSIAST
The 10 km junior world champion was the first Frenchman in history to win a world title in this category. He has been in the top 30 of the World Cup three times and has been champion of France 5 times. Winner of the overall U20 European Cup, he has also 7 wins in the OPA Cup to his name.
3 – GÉRARD AGNELLET, AGE 29
THE ELDER STATESMAN
With 2 wins and a second place in the last European Cup, Gérard has made it to the podium 20 times in long-distance events, including 13 victories. He has been champion of France on several occasions and is also outstanding in marathon events: he has won four times in the 42 km at Grand Bec, and won the marathon in Bessans in 2020.
4 – THÉO SCHELY, AGE 22
THE GO-GETTER
Théo finished fourth in the relay in the world championship 2021, and was in the Top 10 four times at the last European Cup. Double Champion of France, Théo is an all-round athlete, at home in all competition formats. He is also vice-champion of France for roller skiing over 15 km.
