The French Ski Federation has selected 18 cross-country skiers for the final World Cup before the 2026 Olympics in Goms, Switzerland. Ten women, including returning athletes Delphine Claudel, Léna Quintin and Cloé Pagnier, headline the squad. The event starts on January 23 with team sprints.
On January 19, 2026, the French Ski Federation (FFS) announced its squad for the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup in Goms, Switzerland, marking the last competition before the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. The team consists of 18 athletes, with a strong emphasis on women's participation, featuring 10 female skiers.
Delphine Claudel returns after an injury at the season's start, joining Cloé Pagnier, Léna Quintin and Justine Gaillard as key comebacks. The women's roster is completed by Léonie Perry from La Bressaude, Clémence Didierlaurent from Ski Club Vagney Rochesson, Juliette Ducordeau from Club Ski Nordique Villard de Lans, Mélissa Gal from SCNP Rochois, Julie Pierrel from Le Grand-Bornand, and Margot Tirloy from Club des Sports La Clusaz.
For the men, Rémi Bourdin and Clément Parisse are absent, but Mathis Desloges, who skipped the Tour de Ski, is included alongside Lucas Chanavat, Jules Chappaz, Richard Jouve, Hugo Lapalus, Jules Lapierre, Victor Lovera and Théo Schely. Most athletes are affiliated with elite programs like ARMÉE DE CHAMPIONS or POLICE NATIONALE, representing regions such as Mont Blanc and Dauphiné.
The Goms World Cup schedule begins Friday, January 23, with freestyle (FT) team sprint qualifiers at 12:30 p.m. and finals at 2:30 p.m. Saturday features classic (CT) sprint qualifiers at 10:00 a.m. and finals at 12:30 p.m. Sunday concludes with the men's 20km TC mass-start at 11:15 a.m. and women's 20km CT mass-start at 2:15 p.m.
This selection underscores France's preparations for the Olympics, balancing experience and recovery from injuries.