Kevin Aymoz shared his reactions after winning his sixth French national title.
About his free program at the French Championships:
"This was the toughest competition of my life. I never want to go through it again (laughs). I wanted to erase the memory of last year and rise above it, for myself, for my inner child, to bring him warmth and happiness. But when the competition started, it was hard. I couldn't get into the ice. I kept picturing myself falling. My mental coach was there, and we talked about many things before I stepped on the ice. It wouldn't have mattered if I had finished second, third, or fourth. I know my worth, both technically and artistically. The free skate went well. I fought hard on the two quads. I thought about my failed Lutz this season, closed my eyes, and fought in the air. For the second Axel, I was a bit tired and leaning forward, so I fell. I couldn't do the combo after the triple toe, so I tried to place it after the flip, but I didn't want to go for a triple Salchow. After doing only a double Salchow, I thought, 'Imagine if this costs you the medal!' You should never think that! So, I scolded myself mid-program: 'Never think like that, Kevin!'"
On the first part of his season:
"The Masters were tough, the Grand Prix were tough, the Final was extremely tough. But the French Championships were on another level. Every competition I've done came with different kinds of stress, and I've learned a lot about myself. The Masters were stressful because it was my first competition in France after a challenging 2023/2024 season. At the first Grand Prix, I was stressed just to be there. For the second Grand Prix, it was the stress of qualification. And for the Final, it was the stress of competing at home. At these French Championships, it was the stress of wanting to erase last year's experience. These are challenges. That's the playful side of competition: who will be the best? Who will win? Like kids racing in the schoolyard. Maybe I tell myself that to lighten things up. I fought hard in Annecy; it wasn't easy. I'm in a downward phase of my season—it's impossible to stay at peak form through the Masters, a Grand Prix, a second Grand Prix, the Final, the French Championships, Europeans, and Worlds."
On his sixth French national title:
"Since I started competing at the French Elites, I've always dreamed of winning six national titles. Why six? I don't know. Now I'll dream of a seventh, an eighth… But I've accomplished my mission. I'm like Joséphine, Guardian Angel, I can go home now (laughs). I also want to thank everyone who supports and accompanies me. It's a team victory."
NB: Kevin refers to a French TV show, "Joséphine, Ange Gardien," where the main character is a guardian angel who disappears after completing her mission.
On upcoming changes to his programs:
"We're going to change a lot of things in the programs. It's important to rework them. They've worn down since the start of the season. They need a refresh to make the second part of the season exciting. I'm thinking of small movements and some entry approaches. I love my free skate. When the music starts, I'm always happy to hear it. There's this voice in my head saying, 'You love this music, so let it carry you.' We will modify some arm movements in the step sequence of the short program. It feels too 'pop-funky like I'm in a nightclub.' It needs to be a bit more choreographed. I'm excited to rework them; these are two programs that mean a lot to me."
About the European Championships:
"Usually, I'm fourth or don't make the cut (laughs). I don't want to relive that, nor do I want to finish somewhere between 4th and 32nd place. I want to aim higher if you know what I mean. I won't put pressure on myself, but I know that I have a shot at a medal for the sixth consecutive year. We'll see what happens! That said, the European Championships aren't the main goal of the season. The FFSG confirmed my selection a few days before the French Championships, which took a weight off my shoulders. Nothing is ever certain; I wasn't sure I'd be selected. I couldn't rest on my laurels, but at the same time, I had to maintain the right amount of stress without letting it overwhelm me. It was an interesting balance to strike. I'm taking nine days off now, which I'll enjoy before preparing for the Europeans."
Solène Mathieu - Skate Info Glace
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