On seeing someone repeatedly prevail against others, many would wonder, “This guy must be training 25 hours a day. Who coaches him? I wonder what it would be like to be trained by a champion-maker?” There are also coaches who think, “I wish I knew this coach’s success-formula!” One such impressive, thought-provoking coach is Frenchman Monsieur Christophe Audoire, who has trained world-class skaters such as World Champion Arnaud Giçquel and World Hour Record-holder Tristan Loy. Christophe is also the coach and manager of Team Salomon, one of the strongest professional inline racing teams of Europe, led by World Champ Pascal Briand. In this up-close and personal interview, Christophe shows what it takes to be a champion-maker.



AL: Christophe, when and where were you born?
CA: I was born in 1965 in Nantes, which is on the Atlantic coast of France.

AL: How did you get associated with roller-skating and who inspired you?
CA: As a child, I joined the Sports School to discover in which game I excelled most. I tried my hand at basketball, swimming, running, and finally, in 1974, at the age of nine, I took-up skating. The person who motivated me was my first coach, Jacques. I still remember that to train us, Jacques used to come from a nearby city to our small village on a bicycle. Jacques laid the foundation of my career.

AL: Which was your most important race, and what were your achievements as a skater?
CA: Our neighboring club had organized the Friendship Cup that was an international meet in which eight or ten different countries had participated. Though I did not get a place in that race, it was the race that reinforced the foundation that Jacques laid for me. In the Nationals, I placed first in juniors. In seniors, I was third. I was also on the French National Team; but I never got a chance to race at Europeans or Worlds because I had my shins operated on due to pain.

AL: When and why did you stop racing and begin coaching?
CA: I stopped competing and turned to coaching in ‘84-‘85 because of my shin injury. Personally, I think that whatever happened, happened for good. If I hadn’t stopped at that time, I probably would have never thought of becoming a coach.

AL: How were your early years as a coach?
CA: In the beginning, I used to train three clubs simultaneously. Then in ‘87, I was exposed to international coaching. In ‘91, I passed my third level degree as a speed skating coach. It was an honor for me as no one else had ever done anything like that in France before me. But it was also a difficult task that I personally took as a challenge. I had to prove to a panel of sports judges that skating was a real sport, and that to succeed, it required as much hard work as other sports like cycling, swimming, or athletics. When I presented my thoroughly researched thesis to the panel, I had their recognition and respect for skating.

AL: Do you do anything else for a livelihood apart from coaching?
CA: No. But, a few years earlier, before finding Salomon as a sponsor, Arnaud Giçquel and I used to import and sell skating equipment so that we could sponsor ourselves.

AL: Can you explain to FaSST readers who you have trained?
CA: I used to coach at the Roller Skating National Training Center (rs/ntc); but I wanted to grow as a coach, so I found someone to replace me. Then I took the job of training the Junior French National Team which I did for three years until last year. Last year, for 50 days, we traveled together for clinics and various championships. Now I train Team Salomon and I thank Salomon for everything. Last year, Team Salomon won the Swiss Inline Cup; and this year they have won the European Inline Cup. I also coached Arnaud from ‘89 until last year.

AL: Tell us about your favorite student.
CA: The first one who comes to my mind is Arnaud. It is wonderful to coach him; he is always expecting more than you can give; he is a fast learner and I literally have to tell him that it is enough for that session; only then he stops. Then there is Stephanie; she was at the rs/ntc. After we worked together for 2 years, she ended up with 3 titles: 3 times European Junior Champ. Also, Pascal Briand is a highly talented skater, and it is very nice to work with him. There are others who are also my favorites. Everyone is distinct from each other in their own aspect. What I really take into account is not just the race results, but the relationship that we build between us, and the personal satisfaction that we receive. It is always exciting for me to coach enthusiastic skaters who relish training sessions and are willing to learn something new. When I hold clinics in different countries, a few skaters are automatically added to my list of favorites.

AL: Can you explain to the worldwide audience how the racing scene in France and Europe is?
CA: Since the big change in ‘92, the transition from quads to inlines, skating has changed considerably. Many clubs, skating tracks, and equipment manufacturers have come up. In the Federation (of France), there are 30,000 skaters of which 5,000 are speed skaters. We have two levels of senior racers, Senior A and B. Also, we have around 150 regional and national races each year. On some weekends, we have two, three, or even four races in different regions, and it becomes difficult for us to choose one race. In Europe, we have public and popular races; in these races, even those who do not train in clubs can participate and so everyone is part of the competition. At some meets, we have 3000 to 4000 participants! We are more open to the public and this contact with them gives more recognition to our sport. Skating has a bright future and I am happy to see this.

AL: Many skaters have to choose between and a career and this sport. What do you think should be done to avoid this?
CA: In France, the rs/ntc is part of a school that imparts training in ten different sports; the concentration is more upon sports, and studies are structured around sports. There are eight pupils in each class, and if they miss studies during competitions, special classes are held for them. After studies, an athlete has to work so that he can train to compete. Here is where sponsors come into the picture. The athletes who want to take up sports earn a decent livelihood from their sponsors. So, if there is a facility like the rs/ntc in other countries, there is no way a skater will quit skating.

AL: A few personal questions now. Which countries have you visited and which is your favorite place?
CA: I have seen the whole of Europe. I’ve also been to the USA, Australia, Southeast Asia, India, Argentina, Colombia, and many other countries. There is tremendous talent in Reunion, a French colony near Madagascar. Skating has started even in South Africa. As to my favorite place, if I were given an option to live in a city, I’d choose New York; I also like San Francisco; Fiji and Tahiti are paradise; the coast of Australia is fantastic; as a tourist, I love Africa. But I think that after a while each place loses its charm and life becomes drab. So, France is just right for me.

AL: Tell us something about your family and your hobbies.
CA: I am married to Isabel and we have two kids - Jenna, 9, and Marvin, 6. My family gets to see me sometimes (smiles). Last year I traveled for 250 days. This year it is very close to 200 days. I regret that I am often away from home; I love my family and they are a substantial part of my success. I live with music; I especially like U2. Occasionally, I also go to rock and roll shows, and music concerts. I love lively and exciting music, especially if it stirs emotions and touches the heart.

AL: Now that you are a successful coach, professionally how do you feel, and what is your view about the future of inline speed skating?
CA: I am always in search of an unconquered peak. I’ve trained several top skaters, but I still have to go further. There are not many jobs that pay you for doing what you like most. I am in a very prominent position, but it is not the lure of money that’s keeping me interested in skating. I don’t think that I should do something that does not really arouse excitement and bring zing into life. Skating might shortly be included in the Olympics; but I want our World Championships to be as exciting as the soccer World Cup is - a level out of this world.

AL: Last question. What advice do you offer to a skater who is aspiring to reach the top?
CA: The indispensable key to success is fundamental technique. On it, you should build your individual style. You should have the determination to do it. Persevere, train real hard, and know more than your opponent. You have to sacrifice a lot to become a champion. Set your targets and then do not give up until you have attained them.

Following this interview, I did not train. Instead, I watched Christophe ardently fire instructions and demonstrate techniques as his words echoed in my head. I wondered what it would take our skating community to turn his vision into our vision. Couldn’t we pool all our resources from all corners of the globe and show the world what inline skating is?

Christophe Audoire is open to suggestions and welcomes your opinions and ideas. You can email him at: Roller.Online@naonet.fr

©1999 Abbas Iqbal Lasania