Val d'Isere Apres Ski Report: 15th March 2012
Return of the X Games to Tignes
This week brings the return of the much-anticipated X Games to our neighbours in Tignes and, with Olympic winner Shaun White making an appearance this year, there’s an exciting buzz around.
This is the third year that the X Games have come to Europe and with them having just renewed their contact with Tignes it looks like this competition will go from strength to strength over the years. It’s a great event for Tignes and seeing as it’s just over the hill; it’s pretty good for Val too.
The course is set up in Tignes Val Claret with the slopestyle run passing just by the bottom of the Lanches chairlift and the massive half-pipe just to the left by the bottom of the Tichot run. I don’t know if it’s just me but I swear the jumps are getting bigger every year. They are absolutely huge!!!
Wednesday was the day for the Women’s Ski Slope-Style final with Canadian Kaya Turski taking first place, followed by Anna Segal in second and Dara Howell in third. The evening event was the Women’s Snowboard Super-pipe final with the top three places all going to American riders; Kelly Clark in first place then Elena Hight and Kaitlyn Farrington in third. Unfortunately, I was working but I have been informed the girls were ripping it up.
Luckily, I had the day off today so I headed over to Tignes this afternoon to check out the Men’s Ski Slope-Style followed by the Men’s Super-Pipe final in the evening.
The sun was blazing and, without a cloud in the sky, it was the perfect day for grabbing a seat on the snow and watching the fun. We weren’t alone either as hundreds of other people had the same idea. The atmosphere was friendly and with a few impromptu snowball fights. Everyone was in the mood for fun.
The slope-style kicked off with a bang as competitors battled it out for first place. Unfortunately there was a problem with the speakers and, as there was no commentary, I wasn’t sure who was who. Nevertheless, there were some great tricks being landed and I was suitably impressed…hard not to be really!
The results were American’s Bobby Brown and Tom Wallisch taking first and second. Third was Norwegian Andreas Hatviet with Britain’s own little ripper James Woods taking fourth so well done James for getting the only British placing so far.
The evening was the Men’s Super-Pipe final with Shaun White entering the European competition for the first time. Everyone had high expectations after Shaun’s Olympic performance and there were some pretty excited people ready to see what he can do in the flesh.
As predicted, the young American killed it and definitely lived up to his name of the “Flying Tomato” getting the biggest air with his red locks streaming behind. It was a breathtaking run with spin after spin and was well worth the trip over.
Second place was taken by American Louie Vito and third by Swiss rider Louri Podladtchikov who both also gave an incredible performance.
Friday morning is the Men’s Snowboard Slope-Style final followed in the afternoon by the Women’s Snowboard Slope-Style final so if you’re around get down and check it out.
There’s also a snowmobile demo around midday so if you want some daring deeds, this is also worth a look.
Well, that’s it from me this week so stay safe, have fun and TTFN.
