CURRICULUM
At the very top of the international climbing competition scene since 1990, the Frenchman François Legrand has climbed many of the hardest routes not only in Europe, but also in the U.S.A, Brazil, Thailand and Japan.
Charismatic and at times introvert, he continues to be an inspiration for many youngsters who have adopted him as their role model. He enjoys travelling and meeting other climbers with whom he shares his passion for climbing, and he is also a tireless seeker of new crags, favouring those hidden and in fantastic natural surroundings
Legrand loves all sports in general and regularly cycles and runs. Although less frequently, he also skis, plays tennis and football. With great enthusiasm he tries to promote climbing (even through the internet of late) and he teaches beginners to advanced, takes part in climbing demonstrations and other events, achieves excellent results in competitions throughout the world, takes part in photoshoots, television programs, videos, films, interviews…
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Competition results |
| 1988 |
2nd place at the French Championships (1st edition ), French Junior Champion and European Junior Champoin |
| 1989 |
Intense training period, learns how to climb in competitions, first sponsors |
| 1990 |
1st place World Cup; 1st at Rock Master in Arco; trains and travels with Yuji Hirayama |
| 1991 |
1st place World Cup, World Champion in Frankfurt (first ever World Championship), French World Champion , 1st place at the Serre Chevalier International Master |
| 1992 |
1st place World Cup, European Champion at Frankfurt |
| 1993 |
1st place World Cup; World Champion at Innsbruck |
| 1994 |
1st at Rock Master in Arco; 1st place at the Serre Chevalier; 2nd place World Cup |
| 1995 |
World Champion in Genva; 2nd place World Cup |
| 1996 |
5th place World Cup, 1st place at the Serre Chevalier |
| 1997 |
1st place World Cup; 1st place at the X-Games in San Diego (USA); 1st place at the Serre Chevalier; 1st at Rock Master in Arco; 3rd at Paris World Championship |
| 1998 |
1st place at the Serre Chevalier; 1st at Rock Master in Arco; 2nd at the X-Games in S. Diego (USA); 5th place World Cup. No. 1 in the permanant world ranking. |
| 1999 |
1st place at Lipsia World Cup; 1st place at the Chamonix Master; 2nd overall in the World Cup. Repeats some of the hardest routes in America. |
| 2000 |
1st place at the Goldfinger Master in Belgium; 2nd at the X-Games in Tokyo; 2nd at the World Cup in Lecco; redpoints Ghetto booty 8c+/9a at Mt. Charleston and frees Roby in the Ski (8c+/9a) at Les Goudes |
| Films and videos |
Film
“A l’assaut des chateaux Cathares” 1992, 7 mins, Director: P. Deudole (B.C.I.), Diffusione: France 3, “Magazine Montagne”
“François et les autres…” 1993, 26 min, Director: R. Gudicelli, Diffusione: France 3, “Magazine Montagne”, quindi distribuito come videocassetta
“François Legrand et la légende du roi Christophe” 1994, 7 min, Director: P. Deudole (B.C.I.), Diffusione: France 3, “Magazine Montagne”
“Portrait F. Legrand” 1999, 13 min, Director: E. Bacos (Ultra-sport), Diffusione: M6, Magazine “Sport Evènement”
Videos
“L’esprit de la grimpe” 1997, Production: P. Edlinger & Rivista “Roc N’ Wall”, Director: M. Rebeix
“ZHAA” 1998, Production: Rivista “Grimper ”, Director: F. Rippert
“Ticket pour un taquet” 1999, Production: Rivista “Roc N’ Wall”, Director: E. Demay
“Climbing in Thailand” 1999, Production and Director: M. Radici
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François Legrand observing the route at the Rock Master 2000.
The meeting
François loves the sun and warmth in winter, so he decided to travel to Phra Nang in Thailand, because he had heard so much about it...
We were already there as we’d just finished shooting an ad for trekking shoes. The director Michele Radici has a daughter Lorenza who works for Eurosport at Parigi: that’s how the circle closes
Lorenza contacted François and organised a “blind date” on the Railéh beach to film “François Legrand:
Climbing in Thailand” . That’s where we saw him, getting off the boat with his wife Cathy, at that time pregnant with their daughter Shani, and we introduce ourselves.
Since that day we meet up whenever possible, either in France or during his long stays at Arco, or sometimes when Italy hosts some international competitions. We hope to meet up once more in Thailand, where we’ve all left a bit of our hearts!
Sponsors
La Sportiva, The North Face, Beal, Troll, Cebe, Sint Rock
Interview '99
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