Rémi: Nature really speaks

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What were you doing at the age of 17?

 

That year, I was in my second year of high school, just divided into arts and sciences, dealing with monthly major exams and weekly minor exams, listening to the creaking ceiling fan, watching the math teacher write equations, and 'dealing with' the shiny round head of the class teacher peeking through the back door glass.

 

I think most people were probably like me.

 

But for Rémi Bonnet, who just turned 22 this year, his 17 was quite different.

Born in 1995, Rémi is a young Swiss ski mountaineer and trail runner, and a signed athlete for the Salomon international team. As a skilled ski mountaineer, he made a stunning debut at 17,by winning the youth ski mountaineering world championship, dazzling the mountain snow sports community. In 2015, at just 20 years old, he broke the record at the Red Bull K3 race by running to the 3538-meter-high summit in 2 hours, 1 minute, and 57 seconds, surpassing world-class athletes like Karl Egloff and Marco Moletto.

 

One evening after dinner, I chatted with this big boy, who runs like a little deer in the jungle, humble and gentle, and is called 'long-legged eyelash fairy' by fans.

 

'Nature is unconquerable; I choose to respect and be close to it.'

 

In a previous interview, the 'godfather' of trail runningGregory Volletpraised Rémi highly and had high hopes for him: 'Rémi is a very promising young man. He knows exactly what he wants and has great talent. When we say someone has talent, it’s not just about physical fitness and training results, but also their understanding of the sport. Although Rémi is still very young, his understanding of trail running is very thorough and he has his own ideas. This may be related to his upbringing or sports experience, or maybe his family. But no matter what, he genuinely loves this sport, which makes me very happy. After all, he is still young, and having such an understanding is rare.'

 

Rémi's parents are not professional athletes; his mother is an engineer, far removed from the sports world, but they have always supported Rémi and respected his choices and decisions.

 

'When I decided to become a professional athlete, my parents gave me great support, for which I am very grateful. They respect what I love and are willing to listen to my thoughts, share my achievements and happiness. They tell me that winning and being a champion is not the only thing because there can only be one champion, but many people can enjoy the competition. This time in Shangri-La, my biggest feeling is that nature is truly great. No matter how fast you run or how high you jump, it’s nothing in front of nature. She is unconquerable, so I choose to respect and be close to her. I think my parents feel the same way.'

 

'I like girls who love sports, but I only love one.'

 

In the eyes of many fangirls, Rémi is undoubtedly a handsome guy with high looks, long legs, a sunny smile, and long, slender eyelashes like a deer, plus outstanding athletic talent and achievements, all of which have earned him a large number of female fans. However, to the heartbreak of his female fans, Rémi already has a girlfriend, and his response to many fangirls’ confessions is quite interesting.

 

'Yes, I know they like me, and I like them too, haha. But liking and loving are different. I like girls who love sports and can talk with me, and I can be friends with these girls, but I only love one, and that’s my girlfriend.'

 

This answer would not only make his girlfriend happy but also delight his female fans.

 

'Why are you so thin? I think it’s because of my genes.'

 

Among the 23 international team members participating in this SRC (Salomon Elite Training Camp), Rémi is the youngest but has the biggest appetite. Besides training, communicating, and chatting, his favorite thing is eating. Even during the interview, he was holding some fruit, occasionally taking a bite. Perhaps feeling embarrassed by our gaze, he shyly smiled and explained (or covered up): 'I don’t know why, I just feel hungry, haha, always feel hungry.'

 

However, despite eating a lot, he is very thin, not a muscular hunk but well-proportioned and tall. When asked why he can eat so much and still stay thin, and if he has any 'secrets,' this overly honest big boy said:

 

'Maybe it’s because of my good genes; our whole family is very thin.'

 

The standard answer to this question should be 'It’s probably because of exercise; I have a lot of exercise. If you want to be as thin as me, just exercise more.'

 

Of course, it’s undeniable that Rémi does have a lot of exercises. Like other international team members, Rémi trains in trail running for 13-27 kilometers daily under the 'godfather’s' guidance. It’s worth noting that they are doing this trail running in high-altitude snowy mountains, which is quite intense.

 

'We are like a family; this feeling is very comfortable.'

 

As the youngest team member, Rémi naturally received a lot of love and care from everyone. Besides the 'godfather’s' half-strict, half-loving guidance, the person Rémi is closest to is Philipp. From the start, they have been inseparable, even eating almost the same food.

'He is very much like my dad, takes good care of me, and is very kind to me. Actually, I think everyone takes good care of me. Is it because I’m the youngest? Haha. I feel that although everyone comes from different countries and some hadn’t met before, we get along very well, like a family, which makes me feel very comfortable.'

Among the 23 team members, there are members from European and American countries, as well as from China, Nepal, and other countries. Despite many differences or variations in language, customs, and habits, they get along very well, perhaps because they love and are passionate about the same things.

 

'Trail running is a dialogue with nature; you can hear her voice.'

 

As a dual athlete in ski mountaineering and trail running, Rémi finds it hard to distinguish which sport he likes more because, in his view, these two sports have many similarities. They are both completed in natural environments, conducted in mountainous areas, require constant uphill and downhill, face harsh conditions, and bring physical and mental comfort upon completion.

 

'I started with skiing, but after getting into trail running, I immediately fell in love with it. They are very similar and both bring me the joy of sports.'

 

Regarding the 'trail running philosophy' often mentioned by the 'godfather,' Rémi also has his own understanding.

 

'In my opinion, trail running is a dialogue with nature. Maybe the mountains don’t speak, and the trees don’t speak, but when the wind comes, when the clouds pass, you can hear their ‘voices.’ These are the ‘voices’ of nature. Nature can speak. At this time, I’m not thinking about how fast I need to run but using my eyes to see them, my nose to smell them, and my feet to feel them. I think this is more important than standing on the podium.'

 

For 22-year-old Rémi, his sports career has just begun. As the 'godfather' said, his future is limitless. Finding something you love and making it your career is a kind of luck and happiness. I hope he can carry this luck and happiness with him always.

 

Go, Rémi!

Bonus time

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