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Ski Cross World Cup in Val Thorens Review

A round up of the weekends action at the World Cup Ski Cross

featured in Events reviews Author Gemma Hunt, Val Thorens Reporter Updated

The Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup tour took place last weekend in Val Thorens after a re-scheduled start due to lack of snow in mid-December.

With additional cancellations due to poor snow conditions in France and Italy it has been a delayed start for the 2014/15 season since the opening event in Canada. Being only the second event on the calendar the athletes were more than ready to get the competition underway once again.

The Val Thorens course itself is named after French Olympic gold medal winner and Val Thorens local Jean-Frederic Chapuis who was competing at the weekend and support could definitely be heard! The course is regarded as one of the biggest and most challenging on the tour with a demanding and diverse track layout, it’s definitely not something you want to ski onto by mistake that’s for sure!

There were great conditions for all three days with just a few lingering snow clouds on Saturday which cleared by the afternoon to reveal blue sky and sunshine for the last events of the tour in Val Thorens.

My intention was to snowboard to watch the race however my ski partner had a slight ‘left my ski boots at home’ issue which resulted in us attending as pietons and actually turned out for the better.

Attending ski events in France is decidedly refreshing, in England there would be tickets, police and restrictions. There’s none of that here! The start of the course is accessed via the Moutiers chairlift just below the Caron cable car and P4 parking. Luckily for us, also suitable for walkers! We were then able to watch the races as we walked/slid alongside the course giving great viewing points.

You can get right up close to the action, with just the course barrier between you and the competitors flying (literally in some points) down the course. We were clearly not as organized as others who had opted for a hike and a picnic to catch the action, a great way to spend the day. Whilst you are right up close to the action it is bizarre to be watching such class performers in silence. At the bottom of the course however is the cheering and support committee in force! With large screens you can also make sure you don’t miss any of the action.

So, if you are up on your ski cross racing and follow the world tour here’s a run down of the results.

The women’s ladies final on Friday saw the two Canadians at the front with Georgia Simmerling and Marielle Thompson needing a photo finish to declare Thompson as taking first place. Both now ranking first and second on the overall leader board with Georgia Simmerling taking a strong lead. French competitor Alize Baron gave the local crowd a podium place in third and now stands in fourth place overall behind Sweden’s Anna Holmlund.

It was looking promising for Jean-Frederic Chapuis entering the final on Friday as the top-qualifier. Despite a great start, Andreas Schauer from Germany was to take first place with Chapuis in second. Andreas Schauer clearly meant business in Val Thorens finishing first in all his heats and then taking the first win of his career. Now putting him in the lead by one point overall in front of Austria’s Thomas Zangerl.

Racing continued on Saturday with Marielle Thompson taking a second win in Val Throens and again some cheering from the French crowd for France’s Ophelie David in third place behind Sweden’s Anna Holmlund.

In the men’s race on Saturday Swiss racer, Marc Bischofberger took his first World Cup win with France’s Jonathan Midol taking second place and Brady Leman from Canada in third.

If you ever get the chance to attend such an event or similar in Val Thorens it’s a definite recommend!

Location

Map of the surrounding area