Arthur Bauchet one step away from 100 podiums

December 17, 2024

The station has been waiting for this for six years. Since 2018, Tignes, the faithful playground of para skiing, has not hosted an FIS Alpine Para Ski World Cup. A real incongruity. “Since the Albertville Games in 1992, Tignes has hosted an international alpine para ski event every two or three years, recalls Fabrice Maleville, sports director of Tignes development. But, due to Covid, a fairly long interruption had occurred. It was therefore important to retrain the teams for this type of event. »

Around 80 competitors, from around twenty countries around the world (Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, etc.), were there. “ The world’s elite were there, rejoices Christian Fémy, winter sports referent at the French Handisport Federation (FFH). There was really a good representation of the current world stage. »

ARTHUR BAUCHET ON A HUNDRED PODIUM MARCH!

France fielded ten athletes. Two of them, Yohan Jeandemange and Meije Bidault, are still in the Access to performance group. “Yohan thus competed in his very first World Cup rounds”note Christian Fémy.

Just a few days after his two victories in Austria, Arthur Bauchet, the overwhelming favorite for the two slaloms on the program, held his place by winning again twice. “It’s really nice to ski in France, in front of our loved ones, to see them down there”slipped the triple 2022 Paralympic champion. Arthur Bauchet won his 98^e et 99^e podiums, at only 24 years old. He will aim for the magic mark of 100 in Courchevel, from Thursday December 19.

Another Frenchman appeared twice on the box. On his land, Lou Braz Dagand won 3^e place Monday, before confirming by finishing 2^e this Tuesday. “In a tough and dense armchair category, it confirms its nice progression curve that began three or four years ago, comments Christian Fémy. Last year he already won in Cortina. His ski stabilizes. This is evidenced by these two podiums, achieved in quick succession, on a track at the start of the season, which was quite difficult, long and icy. To interfere, as he did, on podiums where we find the Norwegian, Jesper Pedersen, reigning world and Paralympic champion, reflects a great dynamic. »

Aurélie Richard, also 2^e this Tuesday, completes this good blue-white-red record. The young Frenchwoman, back from injury and after only ten days of skiing this season, exceeded expectations. “We knew it was capable of such results but in terms of temporality, it is unexpected, locates Christian Fémy. She didn’t do an internship and is just coming back. Above all, we waited for her to find her feet again. »

The Blues can also be proud of the two 4^e places of Hyacinthe Deleplace, with her guide Roy Piccard (Monday) and Oscar Burnham (Tuesday). “This is what I talk about positive dynamics, supports the FFH referent. There were also some nice sleeves or half-sleeves. »

A WELL ORCHESTRATED EVENT!

If the French team negotiated this first meeting of the French Alps tour well, the organizers are no strangers to it. The Tignes resort, project manager of these two days of events, in collaboration with the FFH and the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF), among others, succeeded in its challenge. “There is a lot of satisfaction at the end of these two days, appreciates Fabrice Maleville, the sports director of Tignes development. I noticed real enthusiasm and a lot of local cohesion. »

This general fluidity is also linked to Christian Fémy. The stage local perfectly coordinated all these actors. The organizing team, which was able to count on the sports club for the sporting part, the Tignes development teams for the competition stadium and all the station’s communication services, had to cope, five days, with heavy snowfall. “We were not at our best, this having happened at a key period of preparation. Upon arrival, we are very happy with what was offered. We will be able to do even better during the next meetings, scheduled for February. The races in December are always more difficult to handle, we are very dependent on snowfall and temperatures. Later in the season, we have more time to prepare the track. »

HEADING FOR THE WORLD WORLDS IN TIGNES IN 2027

These two days of slalom constituted the first stage of a medium-term project, which will lead to the world championships in February 2027. And in five years to the Paralympic Games.

From 2026, Tignes will gain momentum with the hosting of a new World Cup stage which will serve as a Test Event. This time it will be dedicated to the Super-G and the Giant. “We will therefore have seen all our possibilities for sports organization, says Fabrice Maleville. If this year we focused on competition conditions, we will focus more on welcoming the teams (with the creation of a rest area for the athletes) and the public. Of all audiences, I insist since the station received the H+ label on Monday evening (1). »

Raising awareness among schools, businesses and the general public is therefore planned with a view to the aforementioned deadlines. “We hope to be able to count on the support of the Rhône-Alpes Region in this matter. »

After six years without a Para-ski World Cup stage, Tignes did not miss its return to the international scene.

1 : The convention and the H+ Label awarded to Tignes on Monday December 16 mark an important step in the development of welcoming people with disabilities in ski resorts. The H+ label encourages and rewards establishments and stations that promote accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities. This leads to specific developments in the areas of transport, accommodation, public spaces and activities…

THE 5 FRENCH PODIUMS
Monday December 16 (Slalom 1)
1er / Arthur Bouchet – Briançonnais Winter Sports Club
3e / Lou BRAZ-DAGAND – Club des Sports de Tignes Tuesday December 17 (Slalom 2)
Tuesday December 17 (Slalom 2)
1er / Arthur BAUCHET – Briançonnais Winter Sports Club
2nd / Aurélie RICHARD – Briançonnais Winter Sports Club (CSHB)
2e / Lou BRAZ-DAGAND – Tignes Sports Club

Other articles on this theme:
News / PARA ALPINE SKI

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