EYOF 2023 Northerners medals
62 French youth are taking part in the European Games Winter Festival (EYOF) this week in Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2023 in Italy. Designed for athletes aged 14-18, this competition is like a mini Olympic Games. It unites more than 2,000 athletes aged 14-18 from all over Europe in northern Italy. From January 21 to 28, they participate in about sixty events in 14 sports. Among them, three northerners who distinguished themselves in biathlon and snowboard cross competitions; even taking all three medals at this EYOF 2023.
Will Nord-Pas-de-Calais become the land of winter sports champions? That’s the question we’ve been asking ourselves since Kukuza Ophelia David ended his skiing career. With the 2023 winter EYOF, the answer for the future of French skiing has already arrived, because three selected Northerners have given the present answer.
Lille Voldia Galmace Paulin just won a silver medal in the individual biathlon. And this three days after 9th place in the sprint at the Forni Avoltri facilities. “Especially on Tuesday, I was able to bounce back after some big mistakes in the innings. I have no regrets in this race except for the small crash on the last lap. I gave everything I had, I followed myself. I get a lot of experience in the first two races, I put things in place on skis and shoot, and on top of that I get a medal, it’s all good for me! »
Ten seconds from the title
A northerner by birth, the individual who argued against the clock might even have won gold had he not fallen on the ice on the final lap. Vodia Galmace-Paulin indeed finishing only ten seconds behind the German Julia Tannheimerwinner of this individual.
Born in Lille, Voldia moved with her family to Haute-Savoie when she was five years old. So he discovered skiing at the ski club in Villars sur Boege, before specializing in biathlon; the discipline that has won the most medals for France in recent Olympics. Voldia therefore follows in his footsteps Liliane Becaert, a native of Lille like him; Olympic medalist and world champion in biathlon.
On Saturday, to conclude this EYOF, Voldia Galmace-Paulin the closing must compete in the medley relay. Hoping to win the fairest of metals: “The team is very dynamic” he declares in Nordic.
Gold for Félicie Leicht in snowboard cross
The Leicht family, originally from Saint-Martin-Boulon, also stood out during a productive Thursday, when the tricolor delegation collected 5 medals on the day. Especially in the snowboard cross competitions held in the famous Piancavallo resort.
First of all thanks Felicie Leicht, simply unbeatable. Boulonnaise managed the best qualifying time. Then he makes a perfect copy, winning all his races, including the final. “I was very calm, I’ve been training very well since we got here. he says. Podium, I really wanted it, but then to win a gold medal in this EYOF is great! » The intense happiness the two have shared since their teammate, Lea Castaaccompanied him in the final and would even win a silver medal to complete a spectacular double.
His younger brother Elliott Leicht also shines by advancing to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, the victim of a shock with his opponent, he misses the grand final. But he won the “minor” and thus finished 5th. So this Friday was set for the mixed event! Hoping for a real medal.
Hope turned for the snowboarder from Côte d’Opale. It is related to her, not her older sister Leah CasteEliott won the title ahead of… related to Félicie Achille Leleu. Therefore, the French achieve a double in snowboard cross with a mixed team. The Leicht family has 3 medals, including 2nd gold.
What a performance for the Northerners at this 2023 Winter EYOF with France in the medal raid! And maybe it won’t end…
