PROFILE

JEAN-YVES CHEUTIN, A TRAINER IN HIS ELEMENT

A concepts man, «Cheucheu» had a degree in physics when he decided he wanted to become a coach. First he became a fitness trainer, then a sports teacher and then national coach at 30. His concept: «The athlete as a person is central to the way he performs.»

In the world of white water, his flow of ideas shakes up the establishment and the status quo. This makes him smile. «I intrigue them much more than I intrigue against them!!!» All acknowledge that he alone is up to the challenge of taking three boats and two men the London Games in 2012 …

JEAN-YVES, A SNAPSHOT…

Born 11 September 1974 – Since 1986, single kayaker licensed with the Oyonnax Eaux Vives club in France’s Ain region – Finished 23rd in the 1996 Olympics – Finished 5th in the 1999 World Championships – Competed in two disciplines in the 1992 junior world championships – Retired as a competitor in 2004, national coach since September 2004

DENIS ON JEAN-YVES

«Jean-Yves was born 100 years before his time. He’s bubbling with ideas, he never stops ! He has so many ideas that, sometimes, he can’t see wood for the trees!»

FABIEN ON JEAN-YVES

«He has a very structured approach. Jean-Yves is, above all, a visionary. The more complicated the problem, the more it’s a problem squared or cubed, the more he’s in his element.»

FIRST MEETING WITH DENIS

«Frankly, I don’t remember the first time we met… it’s as though we’ve always known each other.»

FIRST MEETING WITH FABIEN

«It was at Annemasse in 1998, during national trials. He was a first-year cadet (U17) and I was French Number One, but that didn’t stop him offering comments that were both pertinent and impertinent on my sailing! Relevance and brashness have always been his trademarks!»

JEAN-YVES ON THE TRIO

«One time one’s the good guy, one’s the tough guy, one’s the bad guy. Another time, we’ve swapped roles. We take turns. We’re pioneers and we’ve run into apaches but the cavalry is on its way! »