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28/03/2009

16

The While you’re down their Jump bar team
(left to right) Ben(La Taiga), Jen(Killi), Lara Crisp, Sally(Banana), Fraiser(Ski Higher)

With spring in the air and only a couple of weeks left in the season the weather has turned very unspring like. The sunshine and blue skies have been replaced by snow (and rain) forecast for later in the week.
The final details of end of season ball are being finalised. The date is 15th April, The location is at the prestigious Chalet de Pierres restaurant, the price has been cut to 60 euros. Ask anyone who has been before and they will tell you it’s worth it. Tickets will be available from the Jump bar or by contacting Alex on 0673242825. Don’t miss it.

STOP PRESS - Literally a few minutes before going to press LIVEWIRE has just been confirmed as the band. It’s going to be great.

Alex, the editor.

3 valley rally report
Whenever the end of March arrives there’s an uneasy air of competitiveness that descends upon the Jump bar and certain Scottish lasses named Jen. Simply reading through the list of teams for the three-valley rally shows this. The Jump team was named “You’re going down Jen” only to be retorted by Jen’s team “While you’re down there Jump bar”. Both teams with two previous trophies and both teams hoping to add to their collection.
In an attempt to even out the field a new handicapping system was introduced which basically involved the transportation of various sized inflatable objects. These ranged from a giant banana and giant killer whale to smaller bananas and a variety of beach balls.
Misinformation
In order to stop certain bar teams getting an unfair advantage various “leaks” (Sammy G) were given some less than truthful information about the location of checkpoint number 2. After certain calls were made then the bait was taken and the trap was set.
Checkpoint 1
After inflating their various objects everyone headed off to the top of the signal chair in 1650, mostly via the Jardin Enfants lift, with the exception of Scott Dunn who, like last year, were chauffeured up to the Altiport getting the jump of every other team. Team TJs threw away an early advantage after getting to the top of the lift and realising they didn’t have the required cinema listing.
Checkpoint 2
Not the toughest clue of the entire race but the one that caught the most people out. “Go to the village in 1400 and go the to Lodge”. The key words here are VILLAGE and 1400. Meribel Village is based at 1400 (La Tania is 1350) and the check point was at Lodge du Village. Why people would think that two consecutive checkpoints would be in the same valley especially as it’s called the 3 valley rally is beyond me. Every team had it’s scapegoat. Jimbo(Jump) placed the blame firmly with Phil who took a quick glance at the clue and made an executive decision.
Perseverance
For everyone who gave up and had lunch in La Tania here is a story of never say die dogged determination. While over in 1650 one of Karl’s(Supretravel) snowboard bindings decided to divorce itself from his board. As a result he had to take a slow chair back down the hill to 1650, catch a bus back to 1850, go back to his staff accommodation, find another board (10cm smaller), Get a lift to Meribel Village, meet up with rest of team, continue race. Finishing a very commendable 8th.
Checkpoint 3
Dave, Will Gill and his harem (Bexie and Emma) were waiting (in the middle of a cloud) at the top of the 2 Lac chair in Val Thorens. Carrying more alcohol than most off-licences, they made every team drink a concoction including Geneivie de Loos (Son of Marc du Savoie) and Rum from a condom.
Checkpoint 4
As described in detail by Debbie(Page 3). Toni and Debs were waiting at the Soucoup at the top of the plantret chair. Under guidance from former Inghams resort manager, Fred, their forfeit took to a new cruel and unusual twist. Teams had to pass a shot of Chartreuse from mouth to mouth of each team member, back into the glass and then drunk again. If that wasn’t bad enough various gentlemen parts had to be exposed to the elements and paraded across the piste (in Lincoln’s case infront of a class of passing kids ski school).
Finish
After dominating from the second checkpoint and despite carrying a giant banana Jen’s While you’re down there Jump bar team claimed their hat trick of wins. Despite finishing second (only 2 minutes ahead of Rubix cube) Supertravel Superheros were demoted to third after not bringing a copy of the enquirer to the second checkpoint.
A big thanks to Monika, Fredie, Ryan, Camila, Will Gill, Dave, Bexie, Emma, Toni, Debbie for maning the checkpoints. A big thanks to Kalico and Jump bar for donating some prizes.
Anyone wanting to check out photo from the day. Currently 172 (and counting) from the event can be found here.

Debbie does....
Checkpoints
Whilst first considering the idea of doing a checkpoint for the 3 Valley Rally there were visions of myself, sat in a deck chair, supping away on a cool beverage whist enjoying a healthy flow of banter with my Ass Man (Toni), with the occasional task of ushering through a drunken team with a quick wink and a clue. As you can imagine it was not something I needed ponder over for long, but the reality of checkpointing on Wednesday 25th March 2009 was quite quite different.
Our post was located at the Soucoup, an exclusive restaurant (€9 a pint) sited on an exposed ridge linking the slopes of Courchevel 1850 and La Tania. The fact that this was the 4th and final checkpoint, with an ambitious prediction from Alex of a 2 pm arrival, combined with our inability to make a pint last longer that two hours and a flow of disapproving looks from a rather stiff restaurant manager, all resulted in our removal not only from the warm cozy interior of the restaurant but also the much appreciated shelter of the Soucoup terrace. There is but one little word that I can use to sum up our predicament and that word is COLD and for the record there is but one solution to such a situation and that, my friends, is Chartreuse.
So if you are considering a checkpointing experience for 2010 here are just a couple of words of warning; sometimes it snows in the Alpes, one is always required to attempt a lashed ride home, be prepared to encounter an abundance of very chilly willies, all sorts of sicko banter is a given and you will certainly have one more gem of a Courchevel memory to add to your seasons collection. See you next year kids!