Meribel prepares for Alpine Ski World Cup
Posted by - Claire Louise Barry on Fri 22nd February 2013
Thousands of ski enthusiasts and top athletes are expected to descend on the French resort of Meribel this weekend, with this fantastic ski area playing host to the Alpine Ski World Cup Ladies Downhill and Super Combined events for the first time in over ten years.
The action starts on Friday 22nd February with visitors able to get a sneak preview of the exciting weekend ahead by witnessing a downhill training session. Then, on Saturday, the competition starts in earnest, with onlookers given access to the Chaudanne area of the resort from 9:00am, before the first Downhill (DH) event takes place shortly after at 10:30am. Spectators are in for a thrilling competition, with Stacey Cook and Tina Maze, 2nd and 3rd in the DH standings respectively, looking to take advantage of leader Lindsey Vonn's absence from the competition through injury.
Spectators are sure to be kept entertained beyond the skiing though, as they will be treated to an autograph signing event with the French team from 12:00pm, before the “Meribel Party” starts just two hours later - this spectacle will offer live DJs and a musical parade, before a late-night electro-light show and soul concert. From 5:00pm, visitors will have the chance to swap their skis for skates, as Meribel's Olympic Ice Rink opens to the public.
On Sunday, 24th February, the much anticipated Super Combined (SC) event begins, with Slovenian Tina Maze hoping to extend her lead in the SC standings. The DH portion of the event starts at 11:00am, with the Slalom swiftly following at 2:15pm, before a prize giving session and official event closure later on in the evening. Throughout the weekend, visitors will have access to the partners village, where skiing legends will be signing autographs and speaking about their experiences.
The Alpine Ski World Cup Ladies events have been seen as the perfect opportunity to show off Meribel’s fantastic facilities, with Chief Race Director Atle Skardal enthusing: “I have no doubt; we are in the best of hands with the team in charge and will have a successful event in Meribel in 2013.” The resort’s slopes have been undergoing major preparation over the past 12 months, building on their world-class infrastructure from the 1992 Winter Olympic Games and laying the foundations for a truly special 2013 ski season at the French resort.
Though this Ski World Cup meeting is likely to bring in plenty of visitors, Meribel has always been a popular resort with British ski enthusiasts, and its position at the centre of the world’s largest ski area makes it an appealing destination for chalet holidays and short breaks alike. With access to all of the famous Trois Vallees skiing area, Meribel is the ideal base camp for longer chalet holidays, with a combination of a free shuttle bus and excellent lifts making all of the area's fantastic slopes easily accessible. At Ski Solutions you’ll find an excellent range of accommodation in Meribel, including the luxurious Chalet Chardonnet, which comes with its own sauna and hot tub. Lovers of chalet holidays may also want to check out the gorgeous, five-star Chalet Chopine, with great access to the slopes and even its own spa and Wi-Fi facilities.