Courchevel Finals: Here is the Eclipse, the new track promised at the Worlds which has everything to become solar

From our special correspondent in Courchevel

We only talk about her at the start of the week in Courchevel. The Eclipse, that’s its name, hosts the speed events of the World Cup finals. On the program on Wednesday, the men’s and women’s downhills then the two Super-Gs the next day. “It will send, I guarantee it“, warns us Marie Marchand-Arvier, the communication manager of the event. Vertiginous and built for the Courchevel-Méribel Worlds scheduled for February 6 to 19, 2023, the Eclipse does not have the measurements of a dantesque Streif or a slender Lauberhorn, but with its average gradient of 30% (slightly more than the 27% in Kitzbühel), it stretches over 3,200m in length with 950m of vertical drop and has arguments to make.

“We were warned that this trail would be demanding, and it is. There is everything you need to have fun and do great shopping“, believes Johan Clarey. Le Tignard, who discovered the Savoyard setting last Tuesday, is full of praise for it, even “if it does not necessarily best suit (his) characteristics“. For Alexis Pinturault, the Eclipse “will be one of the most technical slopes of the winter.” It is up to her to settle permanently in the calendar.

The start of the gentlemen’s descent is given at an altitude of 2,235m and we are immediately in the heart of the matter. “There is no real launcherjudge Clarey. We have two first gates, a turn on the right foot then a slight left foot and we arrive on the first jump. ” Mounted on a springboard, the Zénith jump then the Jockeys jump, located a little lower, at the start of the Super-G, are “spectacular but less impressive than expected“, judges the Olympic downhill vice-champion. “We take off on 40-50m all the same.”

The top of the route is “typical” downhill with few sliding portions but beautiful, well-pronounced curves.”There is a lot of speed and interesting ground movements. But often downhill, the key passages are located in the flat portionssays Clarey. And there, there is none. Finally, yes, one, just before the second ‘jump’. I think the race will be decided on this first part of the track.” For Marchand-Arvier, “the further down you go, the steeper it gets. To control the speed, we put sharp turns.” On this passage curve on curve, you will have to be technically correct.

After the Saut des Jockeys, the skiers enter the forest, in a shaded and “in much more technical sequences to the bottom“, warns Clarey. A very steep bottom, difficult to manage where you will have to be vigilant because fatigue will be present at that time.” The Mur des Braves, which follows the Mur de La Bux then the last jump of L’Envol, is aptly named: “It’s very steep. Next year’s giant and slalom will be held here at the bottom of the Eclipse. It won’t be easy, warns the 41-year-old Frenchman, delighted to play at home this week and who has not yet confirmed whether or not he will participate in the coming season. “The opportunities to ski in front of our public at speed are so rareregrets Clarey. With the motivation to race in front of friends and family, the perfect job that has been done, it’s going to be great.”