 Poster: A snowHead
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The 23 players from the French world cup team have a secret weapon in order to regain the trophy they won for the first time in 1998. They are undergoing high altitude training at Tignes in the Savoie department. The team arrived with their wives and children and a bevvy of footie journalists and will stay in the resort until Friday. They will not be skiing, too much risk of injury and the lifts are currently closed.
The team used the same location before the 1998 World Cup which they won and in 2002 when they were knocked out in the early rounds after a lacklustre performances. Their first match is against Switzerland on the 13th of June.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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davidof, I could think of some prettier altitude resorts in which to base themselves! Interesting though. Our boys are sunning themselves sin Portugal, prob 5 star luxury and quite a contrast for the french boys. If they were there til Saturday would have driven up to see my fave player....
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Local 'Autocars Martin' was doing the coach trip up to the resort, so we had a 'tip-off'. Couldn't be bothered to go down though - after all, hey, they're not real sportsmen like skiers, just a bunch of softies kicking a ball around!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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just a bunch of softies kicking a ball around!
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Mouth,
PG, Can have my vote by proxy in the debate
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| davidof wrote: |
| The 23 players from the French world cup team have a secret weapon in order to regain the trophy they won for the first time in 1998. They are undergoing high altitude training at Tignes in the Savoie department. |
Is it true that Sven's going to get our lot to stay in the cafe on the top of Snowden the weekend before the finals start?
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davidof, As I recall (but frying braincells fast these days) the research showed that to gain any long term benefit you needed 3 months minimum to have a measurable improvement that endured longer than a week or so. The haemoglobin count goes up but is quickly depleted by hard use at lower altitude. Isn't it a bit late in the day to be thinking of high altitude training?
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Masque, I agree with you and was surprised at the closeness to the event. Any benefit requires a long term altitude training plan. Take Paula Radcliffe as an example.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Masque, good point. When the French national judo team comes here to train, they spend the best part of the summer in Les Arcs.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Oh also today they climbed 600 meters vertical drop at 3000 meters in... 2 hours. Pfff. The french press was madly celebrating that exploit, especially with this cold wheater of + 2c lol 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Going back to davidof's first post, they weren't exactly 'high mountain training'. The French press reports that they are trying to avoid the mistakes of the last WC (where as reigniing champions the players spent more time pre-tournament in photo shoots, doing ads for hair shampoo, being interviewed, than actually practising the game).
So this time around the manager has demanded zero exposure to the outside world, they are surrounded by security who won't let the press anywhere near them. Did think I might check Tignes out to see how true all this is, but don't think I can be bothered, and today's the last full day before they return to Paris for the friendly against Mexico.
So no high altitude training as such, just a team-building exercise apparently, at the secluded end of a mountain valley where the press have limited access.
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You know it makes sense.
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You're not kidding, apparently there was a bit of a row yesterday - so much for team spirit/group solidarity building. Poor old Barthez allegedly backed out of the climb to the summit as he had a bit of a sore leg. No. 2 goalie is said to have stormed off in disgust when he got back down...
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