Kikkan, what were your major achievements since you joined the Commission in 2009 and in particular as the Chair for the past two years?
Since the Athletes’ Commission really just began in 2009, the last six years have been a big learning process getting to know all the people and processes within FIS, and determining our roles and responsibilities as athlete representatives. We’ve already made some good progress by helping secure insurance for all FIS registered athletes, developing a guidance manual for the Athletes’ Commission and establishing an Athletes’ Commission representative on the FIS Council. Everyone on the Commission has been working hard to discuss topics that are relevant for all FIS athletes and they also are working hard within their disciplines.

Maxime, what does it mean to you to have been elected as the Nordic Combined representative on the Athletes’ Commission?
I really care about Nordic Combined and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do something for the discipline and for the athletes. It means a lot to me and I want to be 100% involved.

What are your goals for the next two years within the Commission and within your disciplines?
Kikkan: A big goal for the next two years with the Athletes’ Commission is to continue to develop and strengthen pathways for communicating important information to all FIS athletes, to keep them informed and collect feedback to continue to improve our sports. Within Cross-Country, it’s great to be sitting at the table to help develop long-term calendars and event formats that will keep our races exciting and relevant, especially as we enter a more digital age and look to attract a younger audience.

Maxime: My goals are to be able to easily communicate with all athletes in our sports. This means creating efficient networks and collecting feedback. Within Nordic Combined, things have started well with my first Committee meeting in Varna (BUL) where I represented the viewpoints of the athletes. Some new rules are coming for the summer Grand Prix and it will be important to analyse the outcomes together with the teams and the Committee.

Beijing was recently awarded the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. How do you feel about it?
Maxime: I followed the process closely and the unfortunate situation beforehand with a number of countries stepping back from bidding for the Olympics due to financial and logistical barriers. With Beijing now elected, it will be a challenging situation especially regarding snow. Speaking of impact on the environment, I hope that the Games will bring positive effects to combat climate change. Finally, as an athlete, I think that the magic of the Olympics has no frontiers. I was able to experience it during the past Olympic Winter Games in Italy, Canada and Russia and I am looking forward to experiencing it again! My last word is a call to the Chinese Ski Association: We need Chinese athletes in Nordic Combined and 2022 would be a great goal!

Kikkan: I think it’s great that China, along with South Korea, is making a big push to expand winter recreation in Asia.  As such a big country, I hope they will do great work to not only provide us with an exciting Olympic Games but will also be a positive role model for combating the negative effects of climate change and showing how to build legacy and sustainability with their Games venues.

Besides your work in the Athletes’ Commission what are you doing this summer to be prepared for next season?
Kikkan: I have enjoyed a nice first half of the summer mostly at home in Alaska. I was able to ski at our glacier training facility twice and we had some exceptionally nice weather that made for great training. Now I am back in Europe for training with the Swedish team in Valadalen and then on to Aure (NOR) to get ready for the Toppidrettsveka races.

Maxime: I had six training camps in France and in Austria. Between the camps, I have enjoyed training at home in Gerardmer. This summer is a special one for me because two French World Champions retired after the season and  my brother is the new head coach. Together with my long-time teammate François Braud I am embarking on a new season with a new and talented young team. Things have been going very smoothly and are looking great so far.