Even before we arrived in Cham the odds were stack heavily against us after the last minute withdrawal of team captain Pat Sharples to the Brits championships. The format of the competition this year consisted of splitting the 6 teams into two groups of three teams. Group 1 included Chamonix, Val d'Isere and
Courchevel.
Group 2 included Zermatt, Meribel and Val Thorens.
From the outset of the pre-competition practice runs it was clear that the two teams to watch were Chamonix and last years winners, Zermatt. As if their talent wasn't enough Chamonix played their trump card by dressing in 80's fluorescent one piece ski outfits. Blinded by our opponents dubious fashion sense we lost the first round by a factor 10 -3.
The second round against Val d'Isere was a slightly closer affair although for the second time
Courchevel came off second best finishing 8-5.
Finishing at the bottom of our group meant racing against Val Thorens, who suffered a similar fate in their group.
By this time the
Courchevel team were finally getting into their groove and proceeded to open a can of whopass on our 3 valley neighbours. Had it not been for the charity of fellow judge, Mrs Plake,
Courchevel would have completed its 13- 0 whitewash instead, thanks to two of Val T skiers shameless use of nudity we won by 11-2.
In the second final Val d'Isere beat Meribel 8-7. This just left a copy of last years final between Chamonix and Zermatt, but unlike last year it was Chamonix who finished victorious in a thrilling display of bumps skiing.
This year the competition was only half the story, when the team of spectators arrived in Chamonix town for some post-race refreshments that is when it really kicked off. Maybe it was my fault for setting a late return time for the coach but the mixture of cheap jugs of beer and live music at the Terrace bar were a catalyst for drunkenness and debauchery, or in Sandy's case, nudity.
I would like to finish by thanking Jon from
Natives for organising the coaches and bringing the Alps a little bit closer. To Tom for organising the event itself and making it a truly amazing and memorable day.
Anyone wanting to relive the return coach journey can now purchase a 3 hour long vomit scented CD of ìJimbo sings Bob Marleyî.
