And now for the back page rant.
This week we're looking at the letter P. What does P spell? P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C.
Two years ago when
Courchevel first entered the Boss des Bosses half a coach load of seasonnaires made their way into the unknown and returned to TJ's victorious, cup in hand, champagne dripping from the ceiling.
Last year following on the success of the previous year we fielded another team with two coaches of racers and supporters.
Although we only came 4th everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves thanks to the weather and after race party.
This year as I look around the spectators area for the
Courchevel support contingent and I have trouble seeing anyone from
Courchevel. The fact that we can't support our own resort is pathetic. In the final round every time Zermatt won a race a huge chunk of the crowd erupted in applause. The same went for Chamonix, Val d'Isere and Meribel. When
Courchevel won a race the support came from
Doug(fatface) and a couple of
Flexiski staff.
Out of a resort of nearly 1000 seasonnaires only 23 came on the coach.
Unfortunately not everyone can make it due to work commitments, with the singular exception of
Scott Dunn whose day off was changed from Thursday to Wednesday specifically so they could attend. None of then could be bother to come and support their resort manager. Words fail me.
I look at the alternatives that many people chose to spend Wednesday up at the new Solarium listening to the band and ending up at the Ski lodge in La Tania. Not a bad choice for a day off, but when they did exactly the same thing the week before and will probably do the same thing the following week and so on. Hardly what you would call original.
Then the excuse that they didn't know about the event. Well for the past four weeks I have mentioned and advertised the event in the Enquirer (but then who actually reads the enquirer?).If you went into
Ski Higher or Fat Face you would have seen some mention of it.
Now In trying to describe what you missed out on I could say that you missed the great weather, great music and great ambiance. But none of these really do the day justice. Instead imagine twelve of the thirteen skiers have finished their race.
The score is tied 6 a piece. Pat Sharples is waiting at the top of the course.
Courchevel's best bumps skier against the opposition's best.
captain vs captain.
For those 15 seconds of the run, time slows down, nothing else matters. I challenge anyone to think of something as exciting and rewarding. Still can't imagine it? That is why you have to be there in person to experience it first hand.
