Maëlle Beauvir: Double challenge, double motivation: orienteering and trail running, the driving forces behind my performance.

Photos: P.DESMOTTES - eszterkocsik

Edinburgh, August 2024. The majestic and mysterious Scottish city was welcoming me to the World Orienteering Championships.
Excitement mingled with a touch of nervousness, I stood on the starting line, ready to take my shot at the world's best female orienteers. After months of technical, physical and mental preparation, I knew I had all the cards in my hand to deliver my best performance.
And what intense days they were...

Sprinting: precision at the heart of the effort

The first event, a frantic sprint through the labyrinthine streets of Edinburgh, pushed me to my limits. Imagine route choices taking shape in a split second, extreme concentration and maximum effort over a short distance.
The result: a 12ᵉ place, at the heart of this tough competition. This result was a great satisfaction, but also a reminder that every detail counts at this level.

Knock-out: a physical and strategic challenge

The next event, the Knock-out, is one of the most dynamic in our discipline.
It combines several elimination rounds over short distances, with intensity rising with each round. Here, it's not just speed that counts: you have to be able to read the map at full speed while managing your opponents, as mass-starts are made. This combination of strategic and explosive effort was one of the highlights of my championship, and I managed to score a top 10 finish.

These performances have given me immense satisfaction, but also an even greater desire to continue improving. To be among the best in the world, on terrain as demanding as that of Scotland, confirms to me that the path I have chosen is bearing fruit.

WE MADE HISTORY - European Orienteering Championships

A few weeks later, it's off to Hungary for the European Championships.

I was full of optimism, but also a certain nervousness. Every competition pushes me to surpass myself, but this time there was something I really wanted to do: the relay with my team-mates and friends. We knew we had the opportunity to make history.
Then, 3 masterful races came together and a wave of emotion washed over us.
When we crossed the finish line in 4ᵉ position, a result never before achieved for the French team, shouts and tears of joy came out naturally! (the photo speaks for itself )
We were close to the podium, but what we had just achieved was of immense value. Every member of the team had given their all, and this 4ᵉ place was much more than just a ranking: it was recognition of our cohesion and our collective feminine efforts. Proof that all that hard work, all those hours of training, were finally paying off.
When I stood on that podium, a wave of emotions washed over me. Physical fatigue, of course, but also immense pride. I had proved to myself that I could achieve what I had been dreaming of for years. And when I saw the French team around me, and all we'd been through together during those months of training and competition, I realized that this was just the beginning. The year 2024 would mark a turning point, a before and an after. But deep down, what I felt most deeply was a certainty: I had never been so ready for the challenges ahead.
These orienteering performances were a highlight, but they're only half the story this year.
Alongside my specific preparation, I also explored other playing fields, notably by running several renowned trails. The Echappée Belle Skyrace and the Wildstrubel by UTMB were real revelations. These races enabled me to push back my limits, while discovering the fascinating complementarity between orienteering and trail running. It's a double hat that I intend to exploit even more in my next season.
But before I fully commit myself to this new path, which I hope will be shared with you once again, I still have one last challenge to take up: the Sainté Lyon, a legendary race where I intend to finish this year on a high note.

Thanks again to all of you for your support, it's always a pleasure to share with you this path to top-level sport, of which you are a part, like a team!
So stay tuned, the rest of the adventure promises to be just as exciting.