Courchevel: Taking Skiing to New Heights
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COURCHEVEL: TAKING SKIING TO NEW HEIGHTS 9th EDITION OF THE AUDI FIS LADIES ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP – 21ST & 22ND DECEMBER 2018 An unmissable stage of the Ladies’ circuit, Courchevel is thrilled to welcome the “crème de la crème” of the discipline for two events: giant slalom on Friday 21st December and slalom on Saturday 22nd December. On the 21st of December, Courchevel will host the giant slalom event for the 7th time. Both spectacular and technical, over the seasons it has become a classic on the Ladies circuit. Many champions take part, all keen to become the next Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), who won last year’s competition ahead of Tessa Worley (France)and Manuela Moelgg (Italy). The following day, the slalom will be making its comeback on the Émile-Allais stadium. In 2010, 2011 and 2013, Courchevel crowds came out in force at the stadium, supporting the competitors and watching Austrian Marlies Schild race to World Cup victory. PRESS CONTACTS - [email protected] Elodie Guignard : +33 (0) 6 45 46 65 16 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 89 30 / Florent HAZUCKA : +33 (0) 7 64 38 39 11 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 88 42 / Yue He The Art of Sport Courchevel skilfully combines snow and art through sport. Now a symbol of Courchevel’s World Cup, the trophy is a helmet, designed by internationally renowned pop artist David Cintract, and awarded to the fastest skier every year. The 2 runners up both receive a 3-litre Jeroboam of Devaux champagne, customised by Cintract. Programme All races take place on the Émile-Allais stadium Thursday 20th December 2018 5pm : Race committee at FACIM Friday 21st December 2018 - Giant slalom 10.30 am: Audi FIS Ladies World Cup Giant Slalom event, 1st run 1.30 pm: Audi FIS Ladies World Cup Giant Slalom event, 2nd run 2.15 pm: Flower ceremony in the finish area 2.45 pm: Press Conference at La Salle des Arolles (La Croisette) with the 3 top competitors 5pm: Race committee at FACIM Saturday 22nd December 2018 - Slalom 10.30 am: Audi FIS Ladies World Cup Slalom event, 1st run 1.30 pm: Audi FIS Ladies World Cup Slalom event, 2nd run 2.15 pm: Flower ceremony in the finish area 2.45 pm: Press Conference at La Salle des Arolles (La Croisette) with the 3 top competitors PRESS CONTACTS - [email protected] Elodie Guignard : +33 (0) 6 45 46 65 16 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 89 30 / Florent HAZUCKA : +33 (0) 7 64 38 39 11 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 88 42 / Yue He Press room Located in the resort centre’s Croisette building, journalists can take advantage of top quality facilities: work area, press conference room, interview area, relaxation and refreshment area, TV and wifi. Opening times: Wednesday 19/12 9 am – 6 pm Thursday 20/12 9 am – 7 pm Friday 21/12 7 am – 8 pm Saturday 22/12 7 am – 8 pm Additional press room Located at the foot of the Émile-Allais stadium, it provides close access to the competition. Open on race days only, from 9 am to 3 pm. PRESS CONTACTS - [email protected] Elodie Guignard : +33 (0) 6 45 46 65 16 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 89 30 / Florent HAZUCKA : +33 (0) 7 64 38 39 11 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 88 42 / Yue He Fast track to the Alpine World Ski Championships From the 9th to the 23rd of February 2023 At the last FIS international ski congress held in Costa Navarino, Greece on the 17th of May 2018, France’s bid to host the Alpine World Ski Championships in Courchevel Méribel in 2023 was successful, ahead of a competing bid made by the Austrian resort of Saalbach Hinterglemm. To ensure the competition is a great success, Courchevel creates large-scale structures to welcome the athletes, journalists and members of the general public in the best possible conditions. The Alpinium building in Courchevel Le Praz will offer a comfortable, modern arrival area, as well as additional parking. The new layout of the Jockeys run will enable it to welcome the Men’s events (clearing the land, safety equipment, artificial snowmakers, new reservoir…) The World Championships in numbers 600 athletes 1,800 accredited journalists 75 nations More than 200,000 spectators 600 million viewers 1,000 hours of TV coverage PRESS CONTACTS - [email protected] Elodie Guignard : +33 (0) 6 45 46 65 16 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 89 30 / Florent HAZUCKA : +33 (0) 7 64 38 39 11 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 88 42 / Yue He Courchevel’s athletes This winter again, several athletes will be waving once the Courchevel flag around the globe, on the World Cup, European Cup and other national circuits. The following athletes will be at the starting gate in Sölden on the 27th and 28th of October: Alexis Pinturault • 3 Olympic medals • 1 World Championships medal • Team event world champion • 21 World Cup wins • 46 World Cup podium positions • 2 Alpine combined crystal globes Unchallenged leader of the French team, Alexis Pinturault has been a member of Courchevel’s Club des Sports since 1998. With 46 podium positions, including 21 World Cup wins, he holds the all-time French record for the highest number of World Cup wins, ahead of the renowned Jean-Claude Killy. Last winter, Alexis added to his achievements even further, with 2 new World Cup wins, in Val d’Isère and Bormio (Italy), as well as 2 new Olympic medals at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang (South Korea) bronze in giant slalom and silver in super-combined. This season, local boy Alexis, whose father owns the 5 star Annapurna hotel, hopes to be in the lead again, competing for the crystal globe and a medal at the World Championships in Åre, Sweden. PRESS CONTACTS - [email protected] Elodie Guignard : +33 (0) 6 45 46 65 16 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 89 30 / Florent HAZUCKA : +33 (0) 7 64 38 39 11 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 88 42 / Yue He Taïna Barioz • 2 Olympic Games • 4 World Championships starts • 133 World Cup starts • 2 World Cup podiums • Team event world champion • French giant slalom vice-champion 2018 • French giant champion 2016 • French giant vice-champion 2015 Ten years after her first World Championships in Val d’Isère in 2009, Taïna, daughter of Didier Barioz, the new president of the sports’ club Courchevel, will be taking part in her fourth World Championships in Åre, Sweden. Her good overall performance and world champion team event win in 2011 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) should stand her in good stead for the competition. After several seasons being written off due to injury, meaning she couldn’t show off her true potential, Taïna is ready to take this season by storm. Doriane Escané • 1 World Cup start • 18 European Cup starts • French giant slalom champion 2018 (under 21s) After a great start to the World Cup in the giant slalom event at Kranjska Gora (Slovenia) last winter, Doriane is hoping to get a few points under her belt and gain a World Cup position this season. PRESS CONTACTS - [email protected] Elodie Guignard : +33 (0) 6 45 46 65 16 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 89 30 / Florent HAZUCKA : +33 (0) 7 64 38 39 11 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 88 42 / Yue He Anne-Sophie Barthet • 4 Olympic Games • 10 World Championships starts • 183 World Cup starts • 1 podium • French alpine combined vice-champion 2017 • French slalom vice-champion 2017 • French downhill champion 2016 Similarly to Taïna, Anne-Sophie has had her fair share of injuries during her career. Last winter, after a hard start to the season, multi-talented Anne-Sophie decided to focus on speed events. This was a wise move, leading her to gain her first World Cup points, putting her in 24th position in Super G in Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy). A few days later, she came 7th in alpine combined in Lenzerheide (Switzerland). Thanks to her performance, she qualified for her 4th Olympic Games. Sadly, fate had other ideas, as she was injured during the warm-ups and had to withdraw from the competition. This season, Anne-Sophie aims to put last winter’s great achievements to good use, reaching for the summits again. PRESS CONTACTS - [email protected] Elodie Guignard : +33 (0) 6 45 46 65 16 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 89 30 / Florent HAZUCKA : +33 (0) 7 64 38 39 11 - +33 (0) 4 79 08 88 42 / Yue He Created in 1948, it is a veritable breeding ground for new talent: 18 athletes in the French team 917 members 250 youngsters competing in alpine and cross- country skiing, ski jumping, biathlon and freestyle. 1st in the AFESA national club ranking, all categories combined, with 1,882.74 points for the 2017/2018 season (more than 500 points ahead of La Clusaz, in 2nd position) 1st in the Ski Chrono Samse Tour ranking for the 2017/2018 season Ladies Night Tour FFS On the 27th of December 2018, Courchevel will host the 2nd stage of the Ladies Night Tour FFS. This international Ladies Alpine Skiing NIGHT TOUR circuit comprises 5 events in 5 resorts. At this fun night-time parallel slalom event, the best French female JEUDI 27 DÉCEMBRE 2018 Slalom Parallèle skiers battle it out. Last winter, Courchevel’s Club des Sports’ rising en NOCTURNE stars shone brightly: Marie Lamure came second in the overall ranking, Doriane Escané made a name for herself in Châtel’s event and Clarisse Brèche came 11th in the overall ranking.