Pierrick and Luck Cottier: Top sportsmen and members of Le Gruyère AOP association
Pierrick, 20, and Luc Cottier, 18, both work in the Gruyère cheese sector. Pierrick, the older of the two brothers, is a milk producer in Im Fang and delivers to the cheese dairy in Jaun, in the canton of Fibourg, while his younger brother, Luc, is completing his second year of apprenticeship as a cheesemaker in the village cheese dairy. Both young men are also beginning to shine in the world of international cross-country skiing. Luc was selected for the European Young Olympic Festival, where he and his teammates finished 4th in the 5 km relay. Pierrick came in 9th in the 10 km skate at the World Junior Championships in Whistler and won the gold medal in the 30 km and the silver medal in the classic sprint at the Swiss Junior Championships. Let's meet these two Fribourgers who are as determined as they are talented.
« My father is in the business and I've always liked farm work. So I decided to do the apprenticeship. »
Pierrick Cottier, milk producer in Im Fang
Luc, why did you choose to study to become a cheesemaker?
Luc: I always wanted to do a practical job. Cheesemaking is a profession where you are involved in concrete things. At the end of the day, you make a product that is excellent and that consumers like. Moreover, it is very suitable for practising an intensive sport. We start work very early in the morning, at 5 o'clock, so that I have time in the afternoon to train, even on days when I return to work in the late afternoon to pour the evening milk. So I am able to combine these two activities, which I am equally passionate about.
And for you, Pierrick, why did you choose to become a farmer?
Pierrick: My father is in the business and I've always liked farm work. So I decided to do the training. I worked on the family farm and also with Christian Schuwey in Jaun and Joël Schuwey in Broc.
So you were also able to work in the morning and train in the afternoon?
Pierrick: Often yes, but not always. If you start working at 5 o'clock in the morning, you can leave time for sport later in the day. Sometimes, during my apprenticeship, I also had to work all afternoon. So I trained in the evening. Of course it's tiring. But when you are motivated, you go for it! I really like cows, so it was never a problem to combine sport and agriculture. Now I have decided to give priority to cross-country skiing for a while. I help out on the farm, but I am less available because I have many training camps. But I will surely return to my core business later on.
Do you feel supported by your boss, Luc?
Luc: Mr. Clément, the cheesemaker, is extraordinary. He is really behind me. Throughout the year, I'm away at least one week a month, plus some of the weekends when I should normally be working. For him, it's okay. My colleagues are also a huge support. I'm really lucky!
And what about professional courses?
Luc: I go to Grangeneuve. And there too, everyone tries to arrange things for me. Of course, it's up to me. If I'm absent, I make up the material. For the moment, it's OK, even if it's not easy every day.
If you were not passionate about your work and cross-country skiing, would you have the courage to continue?
Luc: Sure, there's very little else. But I don't feel like I have to sacrifice anything in my life. I'm always working hard, but I like it.
Pierrick: We are really supported by our parents. They always tell us that we should do what we want to do and that I can always go back to my job when I'm older. And my father, who has also done cross-country skiing, is completely in agreement with the goals I set for myself. He never reproaches me for not doing more for the farm.
Why did you choose cross-country skiing?
Pierrick: We tried several sports, including downhill skiing. But it was cross-country skiing that attracted us the most. The cross-country track passes right in front of our house, so it was easy to leave from home. And then we had good results in various competitions...so it was a natural choice.
Luc: For me, it's the same thing. I should also say that we have an older brother who competed some. And we often went with him to encourage him. We also went to races together. It was very motivating! In fact, we were almost born into cross-country skiing.
One might think that in this sport, you train mostly in winter and that summer is quieter...
Pierrick: That's not the case at all. In summer, there are many camps. You mustn't lose your physical condition. So, during the camps, and also when we're at home, we do wheel-skiing, running, cycling and fitness. We never stop!
Finally, what is your ambition?
Luc: At the moment, I'm in the Swiss Romand regional ski team. This spring I will enter the Swiss Ski C squad, which is a great achievement for me because it is the first step to becoming a professional. And after that... I will aim for the best!
Pierrick: In this sport, you can be among the best until you're over thirty or thirty-five. You have to be ambitious, otherwise you won't last. I'm entering the B squad of Swiss Ski. From then on, it normally takes three or four years to reach the top of your possibilities. And I'm going to do everything I can to be among the best.
With this excellent state of mind, the Le Gruyère AOP association wishes these two athletes a bright future in sport as well as in their careers.
