We had the chance to talk with Catherine "CAth" Leroux about their next big challenge: Intel Challenge Katowice 2019. Having won last year's event, they arrive at the World Championship with the sole goal of defending their title. Amongst the talk, we also touched on other topics such as their ESEA season, practices, and goals.

Hi Catherine. Intel Challenge Katowice 2019 is rapidly approaching, taking place from 28th February to the 2nd of March, with Dignitas hoping to defend their title. How are the preparations going?

CAth: Preparations are going well. We are grinding the game and showing some nice results on our ESEA season.





How confident is the team towards the tournament?

CAth: We are confident that we are going to win. We have a bootcamp organized in Philly for a few days before leaving for Poland.





Although you were not part of the team at the time, you eventually returned to what is now the world champion squad. How is the pressure of defending such title?

CAth: To be honest, I don't feel any pressure at all and I feel proud to be representing Dignitas colors once again.





Are you planning a bootcamp prior to the tournament?

CAth: We have a 5-day bootcamp organized in Philadelphia at the @N3rdStGamers place. It will be a good place to fix any mistakes that we've noticed in our online practice.





How different do you feel a bootcamp is from regular practice with the squad?

CAth: It makes practice much more productive because we are able to share ideas live and it permits us to use our time much more productively. It's also allowing us to build chemistry and helping us be more on the same page.





The teams you will be competing against in Katowice are already known. Who do you think could prove to be your biggest challenge?

CAth: There has been a lot of team shuffles in Europe, so I'm not sure which teams will be coming up on top. We will have to see once we get there.





Is there any team in particular that you would like to face off against? Why?

CAth: I'd love to do a CLG Red rematch. A good NA matchup always makes good content.





This is going to be your third Intel Challenge Katowice, having participated in 2016 with CLG Red and in 2017 with Dignitas, ending up in 2nd place both times. Could that be something that can mentally work against you?

CAth: I have been putting a lot of effort in the past 2 years to practice staying calm during stressful moments. Our WESG Canadian team just showed great performance at ETS last weekend, where we got top 6. It has been the best record that an all-female team has achieved at ETS. I think this LAN experience will reflect well on Dignitas.





Since you have few officials, you have more time to practice. What are you working on the most at the moment, while focusing on Katowice?

CAth: I've been practicing my movement and staying calm in game.





Your only officials so far this year have been on ESEA Main, having a record of 4 victories and 2 losses. What are your thoughts regarding these results in the beginning of the season?

CAth: I think we could have easily won the 2 matches that we lost, but we always take our Ls and make them Ws by learning from our mistakes for the future. We re-watch our demos and see what we could have done better in those kinds of situations and it helps a lot.





What are your overall goals for the remainder of the season?

CAth: I want to go into playoffs and make Advanced.





Are there any words you would like to say to your fans?

CAth: Thanks to everyone who have been following us in our journey. Also big thanks to our sponsors and Dignitas to making all of this possible!





I’d like to thank CAth for the interview and want to wish her the best of luck in Katowice. Don’t forget to follow her on social media:

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