The cross-country ski team aims to improve every season

Escaldes-Engordany, 20 September 2021

The cross-country ski team, with Carola Vila and Irineu Esteve, attended the press conference held at Andbank today to talk about the pre-season, as well as the main objectives for the 2021-22 campaign. The World Cup is still the most important event, especially for Esteve, but also for Vila, who hopes to make a name for herself based on the level of performance she displays. The event was also attended by Andbank’s Deputy General Manager of domestic banking, Josep Maria Cabanes, as well as the FAE’s managing director, Carles Visa, and the head of the cross-country ski team, Joan Erola.

Erola explained that, while the Olympic Games are also on the agenda, the focus this season is on being on top form for the World Cup:”If the World Cup goes well, it’s quite likely that we will do well in other competitions.”

The pre-season has involved a lot of training at the Refugi d’Entrenament en Alçada (REA), a high-altitude training centre in Naturlandia, roller skiing competitions in Norway, and the four training camps in September and October that will take place in Stelvio, which will serve to put the finishing touches on the preparation. In this sense, Erola highlighted that they have been able to regain the dynamics of the training camps following the restrictions of the pandemic.

In early November, the team will start competing in the first FIS races held in Northern Europe; they will not be setting initial goals, but will instead aim to regain the rhythm of competition. Although the ultimate goal lies in the World Cup and the Olympic Games, they particularly want to do well in the world circuit. According to Erola, Irineu Esteve will seek to “stay consistent”, and improve his standing and performance with every passing year, while Vila will seek to increase her level in order to gain a greater presence in international competition.

Likewise, the team aspires to support younger talents such as Gina del Rio and Quim Grioche, who this year will try to complete the whole of the European Junior Cup. “We believe that they have improved greatly and that they are ready to compete in this competition”, explained the head of the cross-country ski team.