Did you know? There is no word in the French language to describe the fear of spoilers. At Dernier Relais, we wonder why. We know passionate fans who cut themselves off from social media in order to watch the NBA game from the night before in the morning without knowing the result. We also know people who used to plug their ears, terrified, when colleagues at work were debriefing the latest episode of Game of Thrones. So why not give this phobia a proper name?

After all, this fear often goes hand in hand with a certain contempt for those who, in the middle of a film, sitting next to us, just as we’re immersed in suspense and a gripping storyline, allow themselves to blurt out something like: “Michel is the killer, I just realized I’ve seen this film before. You’ll see, they’re going to accuse Josiane, but since she’s right-handed and the fatal blow was delivered from left to right, and Michel is the only left-hander among the victim’s entourage, his alibi is going to fall apart just like your soufflé did at lunch.”
If you’re this person, you’re allowed to stay, but you’re going to have to get rid of that flaw and make up for it in likes and subscriptions to our Substack!

Sorry. We digress, but we had to get that off our chest. Because yes, at Dernier Relais, we love to observe, to understand, to dissect, to take our time. In other words, we love to be intrigued. And sometimes, that intrigue comes by zooming in. Look: take a gigantic ceremony watched by hundreds of millions of people across the world. At random: the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Zoom in, and you’ll spot smiling athletes, happy, united behind their flag-bearers. Look more closely and you’ll see the most famous nations of winter sports parade by, one after the other: USA, Norway, Germany, Sweden, France… Zoom in again, and among them, you’ll see the Thai delegation.

Thailand, a winter sports country?? There we are! That’s the mystery! But where to start?
Ah… If only we could learn more, and why not interview that athlete — Karen Chanloung, ski cross champion, flag-bearer of her delegation, and qualified in 2022 for her second Olympics, after 2018.

But never mind. Never mind the suspense, never mind the mystery, let’s go straight into the spoilers:

Spoiler number 1: Karen took some time to answer our questions
Spoiler number 2: You’re going to love her.

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Dernier Relais: Hi Karen! Thanks again for agreeing to play along! How did your relationship with sport begin?

Karen Chanloung: My pleasure, this is going to be fun! I started skiing really young, around age 3! Growing up in the Italian mountains, skiing was really a part of my daily life. My family is very athletic: my brother (Mark, also a ski cross champion) and I were put on skis very young and we tried many sports thanks to our parents. We started with alpine skiing, then snowboarding for fun, and eventually we found our passion in ski cross. The environment around me has always been active, surrounded by nature and mountains, and so sport became more of a lifestyle than just an activity.

D.R.: When did you realize you would become a high-level athlete?

K.C.: I think I realized it gradually. I’ve always been passionate about sports, but when I started competing more seriously and seeing results, I felt this inner strength growing in me. Competing in national and then international races made me realize this could be more than just a hobby.

D.R.: If I’m not mistaken, you were born in Italy, your mother is Italian, and your father Thai. When did you decide to represent Thailand, and what led to that choice?

K.C.: That’s right, my mother is Italian and my father is Thai, and I feel extremely lucky to be connected to both cultures. In 2016, my brother and I made the decision to represent Thailand internationally. This choice had a deep meaning. We wanted to do something for our father’s country and contribute to the development of winter sports there, where skiing is not very popular. My brother Mark and I felt we could make a real difference, be part of something bigger — like inspiring a new generation of Thai winter sports athletes.

D.R.: You took part in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang and in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, where you were Thailand’s flag-bearer. What did that mean to you? I imagine your heart was racing!

K.C.: Absolutely. It was so intense emotionally — indescribable. Participating in the Olympics is already a huge honor, but being chosen as flag-bearer in 2022… That’s something I’ll never forget. I felt so proud to represent my country and my family. It was an intense mix of nervousness, gratitude, and excitement. Walking into that stadium, carrying that flag high… It’s one of the most beautiful memories and moments of my life. It reminds me of all the effort, the years of hard work, and all the people who believed in me.

D.R.: When you’re not skiing or training, what do you do with your days?

K.C.: I love being outdoors. Hiking, kitesurfing, or just spending time in nature — all of that helps me recharge. I also love cooking and trying out new recipes, or when I can, relaxing in front of a good movie, doing yoga, or just spending time with friends or family. I think it’s important to keep a sense of balance in life, to not only train the body but also to rest your mind and soul.

D.R.: We were just talking about the Olympics… Where do you stand regarding Milan-Cortina 2026? Have you already secured your qualification? Doing the Olympics in the country where you were born must be an exciting prospect, right?

K.C.: Definitely. Milan-Cortina 2026 is a huge goal for me. I haven’t officially secured my spot yet — the qualification phases are ongoing — but I’m working hard to get there. The idea of participating in the Olympics in Italy, where I grew up and trained for most of my life… that would be so special. It’s like coming full circle: representing Thailand on the world stage, but doing it on snow that feels like “home” — it’s an extra motivation for the season ahead.

D.R.: You and your brother Mark decided to represent Thailand in ski cross, which I imagine wasn’t always easy, given that the infrastructure probably isn’t the same as in Italy. How did you manage your needs in terms of equipment, staff, etc.? Was there already a federation in place at the time?

K.C.: It definitely wasn’t easy! At the beginning, Thailand didn’t have specific infrastructure for winter sports, so we had to be very resourceful! Most of our training equipment and coaches come from Italy, thanks to our parents, who helped us a lot and always played a big part in our journey. The Ski and Snowboard Association of Thailand (SSAT) gradually developed, but yes, when we started, it was still very new. We are among the first Thai ski cross athletes to reach this level, so in many ways, we all learned to swim by jumping into the deep end.

D.R.: And now, with hindsight and after two Olympics representing Thailand, do you see any changes?

K.C.: Absolutely, things are progressing here, especially regarding roller skiing. This weekend, for example, there’s a race organized by the FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation) taking place in Thailand, which is already an important step for the federation. More broadly, the interest in winter sports is growing visibly in Thailand. There’s more attention, more visibility, and more young athletes curious to discover skiing and roller skiing. The SSAT has become more active in recent years, and we’re seeing support structures for athletes forming, slowly but surely. The road is still long, but I’m proud to be part of this change and to help open doors for future Thai winter sports athletes.

D.R.: How do you imagine your post-athlete life?

K.C.: That’s a big question! I’d like to stay connected to the world of sports, but I also work full-time in corporate sustainability. Being an athlete is a passion I pursue alongside my professional career. Ultimately, I’d like to find a way to combine those two areas — sport and sustainability — because I think that’s what the world needs. But whatever the future holds, I want to give back what the world has given me, whether through education, sport, or simply by sharing my story.

D.R.: I’ve thought about it a lot, but I can’t decide, and maybe you can help me: Thai or Italian cuisine?

K.C.: …

D.R.: You’re dodging the question!

K.C.: (laughs) It’s true! They’re both very, very good but also so different from each other — too hard to choose!

You’ve got it by now: if she were a movie character (and we won’t spoil anything here), Karen Chanloung would be on the good side.