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PRESS KIT EPIC TRANSJURASSIENNE Nordic experiences across the Jura and Doubs departments February 8 and 9, 2014 www.transjurassienne.com In the heart of La Transjurassienne Not only is la Transju a great international cross-country skiing event, but it’s also the involvement of thousands of snow lovers and individual achievers. Whether you are a famous champion or a recreational addict, a long time skier or a new comer to the sport, La Transjurassienne remains fascinating to all. The harmonious combination of a great mass celebration with an international competition makes La Transjurassienne a reference event in the Nordic scene, in France as well as abroad! The Tranju’s 36 years of existence underline the tenacity of the 1,000 volunteers and 10 ski-clubs from the Doubs, the Jura and neighboring Switzerland, who come together each year to welcome more than 6,500 skiers aged 7 to 97! 2 3 Classic or free technique, A historical track there is a choice You have to be there to understand the magic. The whole spirit of La Transjurassienne is conveyed for each and everyone! through the ambiance in La Combe du lac, at the foot of the village of Lamoura in the high valley Saturday, February 8, 2014: of the Jura Mountains. 2 classic technique events (CT): Starting from dawn, long colorful lines of skiers gather to the immaculate snow paradise…Some • La Transjurassienne 50km CT are smiling, others know that they are taking up a tough challenge; yet at the start signal, a huge Les Rousses / Mouthe clamor raises above the fir trees along the gorgeous snowy avenue! 76 km of uncertainty, delight, Start at 10:00 am (Collège des Rousses) mutual support, self-surpassing and pleasure… and to top it off, the vibrant cheers of thousands • La Transju 25km CT of supporters standing along the tracks in the villages, at the top of the hills, at the food-stands… Chapelle Des Bois / Mouthe while the finish area in Mouthe in the Haut-Doubs is buzzing with excitement! Start at 1:00 pm (Mairie de Chapelle des Bois) Sunday, February 9, 2014: 3 free technique events (FT): • La Transjurassienne 76km FT Lamoura / Mouthe Start at 8:30 am (Combe du Lac) • La Transjurassienne 57km FT Les Rousses / Mouthe Start at 9:15 am, Women Elites (Collège des Rousses) Start at 10:00 am, other racers (Collège des Rousses) • La Transju 25km FT Chapelle des Bois / Mouthe Start at 1:00 pm (Mairie de Chapelle des Bois) 4 5 Robert, La Transjurassienne’s “brave Senator” Ales Jakes and his friends from the Czech In 1980, as he was standing in the start area of the then-called Meeting Progressime, Robert was about to race his first Transju. He had Republic and addicts of the “French Vasa” no idea back then that he would race them all and most of all, For the last 9 years, this group of friends has been travelling that he would finish each of them! “I still remember… there were the men and women through Eastern Europe to spend a cross-country skiing 1,500 of us,ready to sign our name on the first and glorious page vacation in the Jura Mountains. They are quite familiar with of La Transjurassienne’s history book. …. A great revenge on 1979, the cold temperatures, and they especially appreciate the when the rain forced the organizers to cancel the event, the year of La Transjurassienne hospitality of the inhabitants. “We get a warm welcome each it was created”. Year after year, his passion remains intact: year, we’ve got friends re, he and aged 64, this skier from Isère now For some skiers, la Transju is a will once again meet the call, along our routines. And we love La with the 11 other Senators of La Transjurassienne. unique challenge to be taken up Transjurassienne, its sceneries, once in a lifetime, for others, it’s all Hervé Balland, the new its typical villages, its appetizing about soaking up the atmosphere Trans’Organisation leader smell of simmering stews… La of an international Nordic event. Early 2013, after 16 years at the head of Trans' Transju is the most beautiful long Yet the pleasure of participating Organisation, Jean-Claude Dalloz handed over the leader- distance event… Unfortunately and the irresistible desire to do it ship to a well-known and recognized actor of cross-country we cannot participate this year, The ambassadors again is shared by all! skiing in the Jura: Hervé Balland. The double winner of La but we can’t wait for 2015!” In 2013, Trans’Organisation decided It’s through the eyes of these Transjurassienne in 1991 and 1996, and 50km Vice- World to extend its recognition to other women and men, people who Champion in Falun in 1993 wants to “give back” to La “diehards” by creating the “Great come from all over the world, that Transjurassienne everything “it gave me”. His main challenge is to strengthen the competition as Ambassadors” group. This group is we’d like to present this singular a key landmark of the “massif jurassien” heritage. He explains that “la Transju is almost a family 1st Transjurassienne poster currently composed of about 50 event, the unique French event, matter. It gave me a lot, and I want to give back as much as I received and more”. enthusiasts who have completed at member of the prestigious interna- least 25 Transjurassienne races! A big tional Worldloppet Ski Federation. cheer for their energy and tenacity! Just like the “Senators”, they wear a specific bib so they can be easily identified. 6 7 Valentine and Lucas, Jean, a tireless volunteer Sophie… the feminine side champions to be Benoît Chauvet, the double winner of la Transju! For the last 2 years Valentine (9) and Lucas (11) have been participating in la “I have been volunteering in the finish of La Transjurassienne area of La Transjurassienne for 20 years This skier in her fifties who lives in Foncine Transjeune, La Transjurassienne’s youngest sister event. They are actively training In February 2013, Benoît Chauvet won La Transjurassienne now. With the help of my team, we and works in Paris has been racing La for this 24th edition that will take place in the ski resort of Les Rousses, on 76km for the second time. He reached the finish line alone, do our best to offer participants Transjurassienne for the past 13 years. She Wednesday, January 29. the with a cowbell around his neck and tears in his eyes! This long warmest welcome as well as faultless is a regular cross-country skier, yet she Lucas is quite reckless; he was born with skis on his feet! “I have the firm intention distance event was not the only opportunity for him to prove logistics. We serve thousands of meals, admits going into raptures over the extra- to finishve 1st, a revengeI ha to take after 2013 how brilliant he was. At the end of the winter season, he won to comfort the skiers and restore their ordinary ambiance of la Transjuas well as when I finished 2nd! I would love to have a the Marathon Ski Tour, the brand new national llenge.cha He energy after the race…Our motto: the inviting forests of the Jura Mountains. successful career, just like my idol Jason Lamy almost achieved a comparable feat in the FIS Marathon Cup, cheerfulness and efficiency!” She would not miss this annual event that Chappuis!” the equivalent event at the international level. “La Transju is During the Transju week, Jean runs all makes the whole area thrill with excite- Valentine lives in Lyon. She has a cute little face for me a beautiful story full of surprises! You know when you Benoit Chauvet, double winner of over the placem meetings fro with the ment for weeks and a ttracts skiers from and had never heard about cross-country skiing La Transjurassienne 2011 & 2013 start, but you never know whether volunteers to organizational tasks, all over the world. “I have been entering until 2 years ago. “Our schoolteacher registered you will arrive within the first 3 always smiling! Just like the the 57km event for 12 years, and I raced the all of us. I was really scared at first… I fell down, 1,000 finishers! Above everything I really volunteers, his knowledge of the Transju 76km once, a longtime dream fulfilled in so did my friends! I finished one before last, but appreciate seeing all these people backstage is a valuable asset! 2009. For me, the race’s it was great Ifun! am coming back this year and “Organi- along the track who do not know us zation is the key word: everything must highlights are the sunrise will try to do better!” but still support us to help us re ach be planned ahead to be ready on D-day over the Noirmont skyline the finish line as fast as possible!” and meet the participants’ expectations! at the start, and the La Transjeune is dedicated to children from 7 to The reputation of the whole region is at proud feeling of winning a 19. It is organized in partnership with UNSS and stake… … la Transju is no piece of cake!” personal battle as I reach USEP and registers 2,500 young skiers each year. the finish line!” © L. Morel 8 9 A “Transju special” holiday François, a skier with a big heart! In order to facilitate the participants’ and their François has a good reason to be at the Transju each year: families’ stay, the Doubs and Jura departments his objective is to promote bone marrow donation and support all forms of handicap.