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07/10/2011
Issue 62

Alot of memories and all good

With just over 10 days before the London Ski show starts at Earls Court this is the last newsletter before I put down my laptop and engage in some "hard" work for a week. Anyone coming to the show can find me on the eyewear/goggle section of Snow and Rock.

My ode to Team Courchevel and the Boss des Bosses
The BdeB was many things to many people. For some the spirit of competition against rival resorts was tantamount. Personally it was a chance, after 3 months in 1850, to get out of resort and have a day out watching the dying art of moguls performed by a variety of skiers, pro and amateur, while getting pleasantly hammered with like-minded people afterwards. In all my seasons the day of the BdeB always ranked amongst the best. Despite the general apathy from the seasonnaires around the resort, which sometimes meant there were more Courchevel team members than spectators, I would still muddle a team together and organise a coach. To the many people (and there were many) who dithered about coming and missed out, they missed out on something memorable, regardless of the year.

So how did it start? As a result of some drunken bar talk between rival seasonnaires Val d?isere and Chamonix battled it out to see who had the best (mogul) skiers. Each resort fielded 13 men and women including snowboarders, telemarkers and even monoskiers. Other resorts joined including Zermatt, Verbier, Meribel, Val Thorens and of course Courchevel.

However in 2011 and due to various complications, Tom Banfield the elaborately moustachioed event organiser, announced they would no longer host the event bringing over 20 years of competition to and end and as there are no other centrally located resorts willing or able to host, this is most likely the end of the event.

From their first year we entered, Courchevel was always amongst the underdogs, relying on REAL seasonnaires instead of instructors and pros for the majority of the team. (only because we didn't have a group of pros on hand) Win or lose they focused on partying after the competition as much as racing resulting in some of the most memorable days out in all my seasons.

The judging, conducted by 1 person from each resort had the heady responsibility of overseeing fair play. Giving points for speed, style, jump etc it's hard to see what could go wrong. That is until it comes to a split decision and then it turned into debate over whether Kimberly Plake's bikini was a match for the oppositions technique. Saying that some decisions had the equability of an Olympic Azerbaijan boxing official. Although no money ever changed hands our affections could occasionally be swayed with alcohol.

I know I going to take some flak for this next bit. Next to some of the team I have listed a memorable moment from the past. Just because I can?t remember something about everyone doesn?t in any way reflect the effort put in by them.

So lets start with the women on the team
Anyone who thinks men are overly competitive should hang out with the Courchevel girls throughout the years. The make the men look like mice.

Anna (Le Tania) 2009 ?Telemarkers are harder to find than a chalet girl without a hangover. Anna, an amateur telemarker who had never skied moguls agreed to race the evening before the competition. Without a word of complaint she did 3 runs downs the course ON HER BIRTHDAY.

Annabel Radford 2003 - Erica Redmond 2007, 8 - Harriet (Qski) 2004

Jen Allen (Flexiski) 2002, 4, 5 MM ? On a snowy day on March 2002 when most people would have stayed in a warm dry bar Jen was one of the first to come down the red stained run in almost zero visibility.

Jennifer Clare 2007, 8, 9, 10 MM ? Any time the wee tartan kilt (and colourful pants) makes an appearance down the bumps it?s well worth watching. What she lacks in outright style she makes up with spirit and shear determination. She might wipe out or she might beat her opposite number from Meribel. It was always a joy to watch, as she will always puts in 110% before/during and after the competition.

Lara Crisp 2009, 10 MM ? Losing really isn?t a word in Lara's vocabulary. After beating the Zermatt girl down the run, only to have her lose on overall points Lara almost came to blows with the judges. I was genuinely scared.

Lisa Giles 2003 - Pip (skiworld) (board) 2006 - Sally Redmond (Magic) 2009 - Sarah Caird (Flexiski) 2003, 5 - Tanya 2002

And now the guys.

Adam Honey (Mountain Leep) 2006, 8, 10. A Chamonix resident who is crazy enough to want to race for Courchevel. MM - Beating Zermatt?s Olympic racer Jürg Biner (after his binding broke)

Alan ?"Spaz"? Hutchison 2003,4,5,(capt)6,7, 8 , 9 ,10 MM ? Getting words of praise from Glen Plake after a run.

Alan Bird 2008

Ali Bridge 2002 MM After 2 accident filled runs this novice ran down the course and landed the kicker on his chest receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

Andre Mattlin (Magic) 2003 - Ben Breirly (Momentum) 2008, 9, 10 - Ben Jones (Board) 2002, 3 - Ben "Vern" King (Board) 2007

Ben Vincent (POTP) 2007, 8, 9, 10 MM ? Mr Vincent attempted a back flip every year he competed. 07 landing on his face. 08 the only skier in the whole comp to successfully land a backflip. 10 A Lincoln loop 95% successful. (Only to then be shown how to do it by Mr Plake).

Ben Silcocks (Momentum) 2008 - Ben Williams (Powder White) 2010

Benoit Poire Blanc (Magic) (tele) 2002, 3, 4, 5 MM ? The first time I saw a telemarker perform a grabbed iron cross off the kicker. Doing it in zero visibility made it even more impressive.

Craig 2004 - Devon 2005 - Ed(SD) 2007

Euan 2004, 5 MM After Euan flew off the kicker and landing very heavily and painfully on his back I made sure he wasn?t unconscious before arguing with the other judges why we should win the point for that round. (we did)

Gareth(SD) (Board) 2007, 8 - Greg (Board) 2008 - Keith (Momentum) 2009

Marc-Andre Belliveau 2002 MM ? Marc, a Chamonix resident, helped out the team when we were a man short in 2002. The Volkl pro certainly helped us win.

Matt Ottaway 2004, 5, 7 - Mike(Skival) 2007 - Nick(ESF) 2007 - Olly Evans (SD) (Board) 2003, 4,5 - Oscar Park(Powder White) (Board) 2010

Pat Sharples (capt) 2002, 3, 4 MM - A mogul skier from the days when mogul skiing was THE thing. When the scores were tied at 6-6 with Meribel. Pat went head to head with the Meribel capt. With never more than a skis length between them down the course. Pat of course wins giving Courchevel a victory over our neighbours.

Raphael 2004 (tele) Richard Lumb (Flexiski) 2003 Richard Smith (Jump) 2002 - Rob Kinnard 2007, 9

Ryan(snowlinx) 2009, 10 MM a backflip off the final kicker

Ryan(skival) 2009 - Sean 2005 - Simon Christy 2002 - Simon Hooper (Ski Higher) (ski & tele) 2002, 3, 4, 5, 8 - Smoo Smith 2002 (Board)

Steve Dunsire (TJs) 2002, 3, 4 MM Bringing a well stocked bar of dark dog and vodka in at a carry all to the event in 2002 and coming back to resort with trophy in hand after borrowing it from Meribel.

Tim(MW) 2004 -?Posh? Will 2003, 4, 5

So there you have it

Thanks (and respect) should also be given to Tom Banfield and Adam Johnston for organising the competition. Jamie Strachan, Craig Conkie and all the other team captains and teams. Buck, Jon White and all the other team judges. Iain from Natives for bringing these resort together and finally Glen Plake for giving me the chance to see my all time skiing legends in action.

No llores porque ya se terminó... sonríe, porque sucedió. Gabriel García Márquez
(Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened)

The editor

London Ski Show

The Ski & Snowboard Show returns in its new home, Earls Court from 19 - 23 October 2011

Welcome to the greatest wintersports show in the world. We manage to squeeze over 160 ski resorts, 22 different retailers, a 50ft hip kicker, fashion show & brand arena, live music, 4 bars, 230 shops and stands plus loads more attractions into Earls Court for just five days.

The show is essential for any snowsports fans from professionals to beginners, prepare to be amazed, be entertained, be wowed and get the best value for money at the Ski & Snowboard Show 19-23 October 2011.