It’s Monoski Season in Val d’Isère. Freddie Stanford, who helped to set the event up back in 2007, takes a look at the contest and meets the favourites for the Monoski World Championships 2009.
In the last few weeks you’ve probably felt a buzz in the air that you can’t quite place, an excitement in the voices of those around you that teeters on the brink of hysteria and tracks in the snow that are made by neither skis nor snowboard. Take a deep breath – Because here come the monoskis (…cue ripping 80’s style, axe-wielding guitar track…)
That’s right. On 22nd April The Monoski World Championships are coming to Val d’Isère. The contest, now in its third year, guarantees to crown a world champion. When the contest was first envisioned all those years ago the head to head knock out rounds of dual slalom were integral to the raw excitement of the event and this throws up some great one on one races that could stand alone as some of the greatest entertainment I’ve ever been fortunate enough to see. Thankfully that format has remained the same ever since and the thrills and spills are still all there, however a timed qualifying heat may come into play this year depending on numbers.
The world of sport has, by its very nature thrown up titanic rivalries over the years – James Hunt and Nicki Lauda, Coe and Cram, McEnroe and Borg, – Monoskiing is no exception. Let me add the names Twigge and Speed to the annals of sporting heroes locked in an eternal battle. I have been privileged enough to meet both the previous two years’ Monoski World Champions, and as it stands now, the current favourites for the 2009 event. Sam Speed is the current champ. (Twigge lost to Speed due to a controversial fall at the penultimate gate in last year’s final.)
Two more humble gentlemen of sport you couldn’t hope to meet. Twigge shows no animosity for the fall that knocked him off the top spot last year despite the rumours that equipment tampering and a faster set of gates where rife amongst his fan base – you could barely read a Monoskiing blog or website without someone crying foul play. “It’s about who wins on the day” he says philosophically, “And I didn’t that day. C’est la vie.”
Twigge has been good for the sport. He’s always kept his cool. The control he was able to hold over his emotions at last year’s event earned him the nickname ‘Iceman’ but that doesn’t mean he’s not spectacular to watch. He’s kept the crowds on his side over the years with a unique brand of flare that in the last two years has seen him crossing the finish line switch and hitting the snow park’s red kicker after winning a heat. There’s been talk of a corked five he’s been honing for this year but we’ll have to wait and see.
Sam Speed doesn’t let being a World Champion affect him. When I met with him in a Val d’Isère (Australian Speed’s second home town) bar he was reflective about last year’s win but certainly wasn’t complacent about the 2009 event that many expect him to win, “I’m getting older now – the one piece is a little tighter ‘round the crotch and with the sport attracting younger, vibrant new demographic, on Any Given Wednesday, as they say, …anyone can win.”
To get yourself involved in this year’s competition – to race against the world’s best or join in the resort’s greatest spectacle as a spectator – pick up a ticket from Blue Note for a bargain price of 10€. The ticket doesn’t just get you into the comp (optional). It’s a ticket for the whole day – Any Given Wednesday. – Including ‘The Val Village Fete’ which takes place in all good bars bars around town. Bars confirmed are Blue Note, Danois, Bananas, Saloon, Moris, Warm Up, Pacific, Vspot, and Dicks Tea Bar. There’ll be a game and drink for every ticket holder to keep you in the competitive mood. So get your ticket, strap on your one piece (retro outfit compulsory) and get involved.
Any Given Wednesday kicks off with the Monoski World Championships 2009 at 11am (registration from 10:30) on 22 April in the DC Val Park with a BBQ and Music all day. Prize giving in the Blue Note at 6pm followed by the The Val Village Fete from Après Ski onwards.
Tickets are limited so get yours as soon as you can, they will sell out!
What the 10€ ticket includes:
Entry to the mono-ski world Championships
Use of Mono-skis provided in the park
A go on participating bars village fete games all guaranteeing an alcoholic prize for playing
A guarantee of one of the funniest days of the season
