Derby du Roc Merlet

Every season, one of the highlights is this great Chinese downhill race in 1650. In previous years the race has always started from the bottom of the Roc Merlet chair but for the first time it was starting at the top of Chanrossa lift.
One thing that has blighted nearly every ski race this season has been bad weather and the derby was no exception. Initially run in February it had to be rescheduled to a hopefully more clement April and thankfully the weather was near on perfect.
Now those of you who are not familiar with the term Chinese downhill it consists of the racers leaving there skis/boards on the start line and retreating 10 meters. On the start command a frantic sprint is followed by an even more frantic attempt of getting your snow clogged boots into your bindings.
For the second year in a row Charlie(lequipe) spent the pre-race months talking up his speed on a snowboard, only to chicken out with a lame excuse at the last minute. His loss, as I believe this is one of the only times where you can really go 110% fast without having to worrying about fellow skiers.
At the beginning of the day I did a few practice runs and the course was fast, hard and flat, perfect for a good time. Unfortunately as the temperature rose so the condition of the piste deteriorated into a far more challenging cut up slushy mess.
After watching Steve, Jane and John descend the course it was finally my time to join them. After fluffy my start, with the sole of my boot clogged with ice what followed but to put lightly, slightly scary. As the sun went down so the slush started to harden and the question of how I didn't crash still baffles me. My skis were all over the place as they caught the ruts and furrows in the snow. The middle of the course was much better and this enabled me to overtake one of my competitors, which is one of the best feelings of the day although I spent the rest of the coarse wondering if he would take the place back.
Luckliy, although there were a few falls from Huw, Darren and John, none were serious and Steve wonít have to advertise any vacancies in the kitchen.
Team L'Equipe Standings Jane Cummings (ski) 5.47.46
Alexander Irwin (ski) 5.49.46
Steve Dunsire (telemark) 5.49.96
Jason Montali (ski) 5.52.42
Darren Wright (ski) 6.02.67
Huw Lougher (ski) 6.04.71
John Wipowson (ski) 6.06.29
Andrew Yorke (board) 6.27.95
Erin Woodward (board) 7.17.37
Other UK skiers
Craig Fraser (ski) 5.05.93>br> Alan Hutchinson (ski) 5.10.64
William Day Lewis (ski) 5.38.36
Jon Stevens (telemark) 5.49.18
Charley Mackay (telemark) 6.15.73
Pip Lacey (board) 6.33.76
Richard Silver fox (ski) 6.34.26