Report | Race Action | Teams | Individuals | 12 Hrs | Results | Charity

The 2nd Natives/TMC Workers Challenge was blessed by plenty of beautiful sunshine, some superb racing and a lot of well-humoured season workers, up for a party on the mountain.

The day started with the Individual GS on a very icy course. The good weather brought another 30 competitors who entered on the day, making it almost 50 overall. Although the most important principle was certainly taking part, at the top end of the scale, both Zoe McClean (Simply Ski, Meribel) and Alex Green (Ski Higher, Meribel), proved conclusive winners in the skiers category. Charlie Owen, also from Meribel, won the Boarders race by a couple of seconds, leaving Marliese (Chabi Vacances, La Tania) to pick up the women's title.

After a break for lunch, when the BBQ was overwhelmed with demand for tasty burgers, the main team event started with over 30 teams competing for the coveted title of 'King of the Three Valleys' (or something similar).

In the Boarder event, VT Boarders and Sno Limit (Courchevel 1850) fought their way through to the best of three final. Although at times the Courchevelois showed the class need to win, ultimately the VT team was too strong and won decisively by 2-0.

The Ski competition was more open. Despite the fact that his pregnant wife Debbie was in Albertville hospital, somehow T. Wall kept his concentration to lead the eponymous T.Walls Nam Veterans (La Tania) past the gayly-clad Emergency Services (La Tania) into the last 16. Not to be outdone, the telemarking Viking Bitches (also of La Tania) not only made it past the first round but then disposed of Ginski (Meribel) to reach the Quarters.

In the top half of the draw, the Thomson/Crystal Fight Club (Meribel) moved anonymously (first rule...don't talk about the T/C Fight Club) into the Quarters, where not even their pugilistic talents could deny VT Skiers from matching their boarders efforts.

In the meantime, Five Goats Called Boris (La Tania), Il y a du Monde au Balcon (Meribel), Talibanny Allstars (Courchevel 1650/1850), The Sick, Bad Handling, Lite Geezers (La Tania) and the Le Praz Window Lickers (Courchevel Le Praz) all fell victim to teams with normal names.

By the semi-finals, Courchevel seemed well placed to retain the title won by the Bar Bitches the previous year. However, in the all 1850 semi, the Ski Val inspired Tasty Jellybeans knocked out Team Bar Le Jump to set up a final with VT Ski, victors over remaining Meribel team, The Shy Teds.

The final, as they say, is history. VT Ski, packed full of Scandinavian superstars who had been training for the event for the best part of a month (or so the other teams told this reporter), stormed the final and ensured a clean sweep for the Val Thorens massive.

Finally, no report of this race can go without thanking the many people who made it possible, including race marshalls, Stevie Welsh (Snowrider, Meribel) and Alex Irwin (Courchevel Enquirer); commentator Nick (Accommodation in the Alps); photographer Phin; Shanny and all the Mountain Centre team.

Sponsored by:

        
         

                              

Plus Chabi Vacances (La Tania), Hotel Le Roc (Meribel), Snowrider (Meribel), Bar Le Jump (Courchevel), Pizza Express (Meribel), TJs (Courchevel), Harris Holidays (Brides)

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