To the average layman, behind the counter of
Ski Higher in 1850 there is a team of mild mannered, helpful workers. The same could be said of the bar staff in the Jump bar. But for one day at the end of March there is a metamorphosis where the Dr Jackyls turn into the proverbial Mr Hydes. Gone are the usual courtesies between seasonnaires and replaced with a competitive streak a mile wide. At stake are a much sought after gold ski trophy and more importantly the local bragging rights for the next 12 months. The more observant visitors to the Jump will have noticed 2005 and 2006 trophies displayed behind the bar.
Last year the Jump's victory and Jimbo's hat trick retirement was denied by Jen's plucky
Ski Higher cadre.
Such animosity was shown when the Jump team arrived to sign up calling themselves 'Eat me
Ski Higher'. In return the
Ski Higher team was named 'Bite me Jump bar'.
A week before the race the long term forecast was not promising. With over 40cm of fresh snow forecast for the week and an overcast/flat light scheduled for the race the course was deliberately made shorter than last year. As the race drew nearer a window in the storm opened up and bathed the course in sunshine for the entire day making it almost perfect.
Checkpoint 1 In a change from many years the first checkpoint was located at the top of the Foret lift bubble from Le praz and just a short run from the top of the Plantret chair. With the help of some spray paint Mik and Benny layed out a little assault course (with added explosives) through the trees and powder. Using the honour system they didn't bother checking if teams were carrying the Jump kids place mat. In fact, according to the Jump bar, only two teams came in and took the item. With the exception of
Ski Higher all the team then headed up the Cretes chair towards Meribel.
Probably the defining moment of the race was
Ski Highers powder run down to the Dou des Lanches chair which let them leapfrog from last to first place and giving them a handy 10 minutes lead.
Checkpoint 2 Found at the intersection of gros tougne and grand combes pistes above the Les Menuires resort. Chris was waiting with an egg cup full of possibly the worst drink of the day. Surrounded by fields of powder two of the team members had to swap sallopettes after a nice shot (or two) of Marc de Savoie. According to Phil 'Just the sight of the bottle made me feel queasy'. With the exception of the
Powder white team who, despite seeing a group of half naked people on the side of the piste, skied passed the check point and had to take the next lift up. Unfortunately the connecting red piste was shut and going was 'thick to sticky'. By the time they finally arrived any hope of a top position had been dashed.
