The French skicross team has adopted an unconventional preparation strategy for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, opting for a week-long training camp in Tenerife immediately following the opening ceremony. This approach, mirroring a successful tactic used before the 2014 Sochi Olympics where the team trained in Turkey, aims to mitigate pre-competition pressure and refresh athletes. Led by coach Michel Lucatelli, the team, including Youri Duplessis-Kergomard and Marielle Berger-Sabbatel, engaged in physical conditioning, strength training, and recreational activities like padel and water sports, alongside card games, to foster team cohesion. This break from the Olympic Village environment and the cold weather is intended to boost their motivation and readiness for the upcoming events, with the women's qualification on Friday and the men's on Saturday, followed by finals on both days.