XVIe Derby de la Meije

Despite the strong wind gusting from the southwest at altitude the Derby was held in reasonable conditions.  The snow was good, windblown in places above 2400 meters and icy lower down. 

The start was at the traditional Dome de la Lauze (3512 meters) passing through the Vallons de la Meije to finish 1668 vertical meters down the mountain at the Chal Vachère chalet.  The winning time of 5’25 by Olivier Meynet was some 31 seconds quicker than last year and an average of just under 70km/h, very impressive for what is essentially an off-piste course. Olivier improved on last year’s first place.

There was no seven year hitch for Xavier Duret who once again won the monoski competition in a time of 7’52. With Anne Catelin in retirement the way was open for last years 2nd place woman, Michelle Veron to take the ski crown in a time of 8’16, again improving 18 seconds over her time last year, however the quickest woman down the slope was Leanic Leard, a telemarker in an superb 8’06 placing her 4th overall in the telemark category won by Sebastien Mayer.  The snowboarders found the conditions harder and first place was Pierrick Courtial in a time of 8’10.

There were a few problems. On Thursday the high winds prevented the lifts from operating at full speed and large queues built up at the bottom and intermediate station.  The new electronic timing system also failed to register the times of some competitors.

Tragically local skier Romain Berger died on Thursday as the result of injuries sustained during an avalanche above the Trifide 1 couloir.

Duret Monoskis Homepage

Derby de la Meije Results

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