Under 23 Questions: Félix Longpré

Félix Longpré (c) with his Canadian teammates Étienne Hébert and Philippe Boucher during their pre-Junior Worlds training camp in Praz de Lys, France, last week. (Photo: Alexandra Racine)

In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at next week’s International Ski Federation (FIS) 2018 Nordic Junior/U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 19-year-old Félix Longpré, of Club Nordique Mont-Sainte-Anne, who’s representing Canada at his first Junior Worlds.

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“My full name is Félix Longpré, but you can call me anytime.

Félix Longpré (Club Nordique MSA) racing at a Quebec Cup last year at Mont Sainte-Anne. (Courtesy photo)

I was born and raised in St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, and I learned to ski at Mont Sainte-Anne. The club I currently train with is Club Nordique MSA.

I spent the time between Mont Sainte-Anne trials and Junior/U23 Worlds in Praz de Lys, France.

The hardest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was “Fred’s xtreme core ripper mega beach body 3000” with Fred Touchette.

This is my first time in Switzerland and first time racing internationally, and so far it’s been a great trip.

One difference I’ve noticed between Europe and Canada is the tolerance about nordic skiers in the alpine trails.

Skiing and racing in the Alps is spectacular. Usually racing at altitude is easy for me because you don’t need that much oxygen when you don’t have that many muscles. There is ONE mountain around where I live.

One of the things I’m most excited about for Junior/U23 Worlds in Goms is experiencing how fast the Russians start a 20k.

One race I’m especially targeting there is the skiathlon.

I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from Scandinavia because you never know when that might be useful.

My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is having cheese in the morning.

Fondue is dangerous for the shape so I try to stay away from it. The cheese here is everywhere. And the chocolate mousse is the best dessert ever.

If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it ski touring.

The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @felixlongpre. (You can also follow me on the trails if you don’t step on the back of my skis when I stride, thanks!)”