© Meribel Tourisme
Everything you wanted to know about the World Cup in Meribel but were too afraid to ask
For the first time in nearly a decade, Méribel is hosting top class ski racing, with two World Cup events held on 23 and 24 February 2013. The best female ski racers on the planet will be competing on the new Roc de Fer downhill course, in both a Downhill and a Super Combined event (Downhill and Slalom). Watch from the pistes or at la Chaudanne, cheer on the bravest and fastest women on skis, then join in the party afterwards!
Here is all you need to know about the ‘ski circus’ which is about to descend on Méribel in just ten days.
What is this World Cup all about?
17 nations, represented by 70 athletes
20,000 spectators expected
200 local volunteers
12,000m of protective netting installed
22 TV camera positions
5 million TV viewers
Will the pistes be closed?
Nope, 98% of Méribel’s ski runs will be open during the event. Just the Roc de Fer and Olympic Express lifts will be reserved for the competition.
Where is the best place to watch?
Either, watch from the Gelinotte piste, after the new tunnel, where there will be refreshments and loudspeakers.
Or, at the finish line at La Chaudanne, where there will be refreshments, sponsors’ village, a free 200-seat stands and giant TV screens showing all the race.
Or, buy a VIP pack, starting at 108 Euros (tel 04 50 91 37 82)
I won’t be in Méribel. Can I watch it on the telly?
The racing is covered on BBC2's Ski Sunday programme on 24 Feb at 6.45pm. It will also feature on Eurosport – times given below are for UK Eurosport coverage
Sat 23 Feb,
British Eurosport: 09.30 Live downhill (75 mins), 22.30 Downhill (60mins)
British Eurosports2: 12.00 (30 mins) and 19.00, downhill (60 mins)
Sun 24 Feb,
British Eurosports: 10.00 combined downhill (60mins), 13.00 combined slalom (60 mins)
British Eurosports2: 07.00 downhill (60 mins) and 20.15, downhill & slalom (60 mins)
Mon 25 Feb,
British Eurosports: 18.00 Downhill (60 mins)
British Eurosports2: 21.30 Slalom Super Combined (60 mins)
Won’t the roads be impossible?
No roads will be closed during the event, but traffic will be one-way only: from the entrance of the resort to la Chaudanne (Route Albert Gacon) and from la Chaudanne to the resort centre (Route de la Montee). The event is being held during the busy French half term period so, as always during the holidays, you are advised to arrive early in the resort if possible.
To make life easier, leave you car at home and take public transport.
* The Olympe Gondola lift from Brides-les-Bains to Méribel (via Les Allues and Raffort) will be open from 7.30am and will be free until midday.
* Free Meribus service. Extra buses will be laid on from Les Allues to Méribel from 6am onwards.
* On Skis. Signs will be erected in the 3 Valleys ski area to direct you to the event
Extra car parking will be provided on the road leading to Mottaret, with extra bus stops added along this road.
Any chance of a home win?
Perhaps – France has two skiers in the World Cup top 15. Marion Rolland is on top form, having just won the Downhill on 11 February at Schladming. Marie Marchand-Arvier and Margot Bailet are the two other French hopes. You can meet them at a French team autograph session on Saturday 12.30 – 2.00pm. Want to support the home racers? Pick up your French flags at the hospitality tent.
Is the race held on the 1994 Olympic course?
Partly. The downhill course starts on the blue Grand Duc and Gelinotte runs, rather than the steeper Olympic black Face run. It then rejoins the Olympic course for the second part, down La Stade, a slope now reserved for competitions. To meet FIS regulations, much work has been done on the course: the upper part of Grand Duc was reshaped to give it a more regular profile; a 50m tunnel was added under the Gelinotte run to allow skiers and spectators to cross the course safely; more earth moving was carried out above the arrival area and safety nets have been added. The course has a 718m vertical drop, is 2,355m long and has an average incline of 30% (17 degrees) and a maximum incline of 58% (30 degrees)
What’s this about a party?
Drop into the Tourist Office to pick up your free invitation to the party on Saturday 23rd at the Ice-rink (show, music, prize-giving, number bib draw etc).
Where can I get the logo clothing from?
Sweat-shirts and headbands with the World Cup logo are on sale in the Tourist Offices and the hospitality tent at the Chaudanne during the competition.
I want to be there! Tell me the programme of events:
See the full programme on our events calender.
