Poster: A snowHead
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Skied at Val d'Isere today and watched the men's Downhill. Snow conditions are pretty good considering the general doom and gloom around the Alps. Snow cover was good down as far as La Daille, with only one or two small patches where the pistebashers had broken through to ground. Lower slopes seem in a slightly better conditon than the equivalent slopes in Les Arcs (although this might be due to a more favourable aspect rather than more snowfall). Higher up conditions were pretty good, with great grippy snow and hardpack.
The weather is very warm today (currently 8° at 1800m), with lovely blue skies and no wind. The snow softened quickly, making the skiing even more enjoyable. A great day all round If you're heading to Espace Killy in the next few days don't be misled by the doom-mongers in the press (and here on snowHeads) - conditions on piste are mostly OK and often good, and set to improve this week.
Early morning shot at Bellevarde
Looking across to a very tasty looking Grand Motte
The start of the OK race course
The Men's Downhill was very enjoyable (this race should have taken place in Chamonix-Les Houches but was moved to Val because of poor snow conditions). There was a great atmosphere in the finish area, and it was fun to see the racers up close (I travelled up the Funicular at the same time as Didier Cuche and Peter Fill). The crowd was a bit smaller than previous races I've seen at Val d'Isere, but what they lacked in numbers they made up in noise, with the usual range of cow bells, air horns, drum troupes, etc. The fact that there was a French winner, Pierre Dalcin with his first WC victory, ensured great celebrations from the French crowd. His fan club couldn't believe their guy was still in the lead as all the later running top names failed to beat his time. When Walchoffer, starting at 30, didn't beat Dalcin's time the crowd went bananas. Some photos of a great event:
The finish area as the crowd begins to gather
Herman Maier being interviewed after course inspection
A louder than average Fan Club!
Celebrating a French victory
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 20-01-07 15:58; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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rob@rar, er it's the 20th...?
Now I'll go and read your post!
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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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Thanks for that Rob, nice pics too! God knows why it wasn't on Eurosport. I understood they had all the races except Austrian ones .
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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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Great pics!
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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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rob@rar, that doesn't look too shabby at all!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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rob@rar,
Manged to get over and see some of the race but didn't manage to bump into you.
Blagged our way into hospitality and enjoyed a few vino's & some tasty nibbles.
Some spetacular falls but hopefully all ok.
Planning on watching the SC tomorrow.
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eng_ch wrote: |
rob@rar, er it's the 20th...?
Now I'll go and read your post! |
title corrected and watch brought up to date. Good thing you pointed that out otherwise I might have missed my flight home...
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stewart woodward wrote: |
rob@rar,
Manged to get over and see some of the race but didn't manage to bump into you.
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I was standing by the Dalcin fan club - they were the noisy, flag waving bunch!
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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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maggi wrote: |
Thanks for that Rob, nice pics too! God knows why it wasn't on Eurosport. I understood they had all the races except Austrian ones . |
Really? The big screen at the finish area was showing Eurosport and it looked like it was a live broadcast (it followed on directly from the Women's DH in Cortina - 2 for the price of 1).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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rob@rar wrote: |
maggi wrote: |
Thanks for that Rob, nice pics too! God knows why it wasn't on Eurosport. I understood they had all the races except Austrian ones . |
Really? The big screen at the finish area was showing Eurosport and it looked like it was a live broadcast (it followed on directly from the Women's DH in Cortina - 2 for the price of 1). |
I think they were showing the womens racing because a French woman (possibly a local of Val D'Isere) was leading - I don't know if she won.
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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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maggi, It was on Eurosport.
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rjs, What time????
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You know it makes sense.
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maggi, It followed on after the Cortina race at 11:25.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I missed it . It was scheduled at 12.45pm. It can't have been on for long though as I kept flicking channels just in case. On the other had I did get to see both runs of the University men's slalom on Eurosport 2. It was very good but snow conditions were terrible!
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Poster: A snowHead
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what time does the mens combined start tomorrow might head up
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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skinutter wrote: |
what time does the mens combined start tomorrow might head up |
The downhill is at 11.00am. Not sure about the slalom.
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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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Just watched some of the race, really pleased for P-E Dalcin, his form has been improving this season. Guess there will be bit of a party in Val C tonight. Shame i'm not there for a couple of weeks.
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