TC Talks!
Interviews with some of the stars of La Tania and The Three Vallys 1999/2000
TC now owns and runs TC's Bar in Le Lavachet, Tignes
Exclusive interviews with the local ski & board (and drinking) stars of the 3 Valleys
Check out TCs Ski Blog from Winter 1999/2000
| The Courchevel Freeride competitors | The Snowboarders |
|
Free Riding is a new wave of skiing, skiing anywhere in all conditions and having fun. A new wave of skis has evolved to enable new levels of enjoyment on the hill - But beware, Freeriding off piste is still as dangerous as it's ever been. Please respect the mountains they are a very dangerous place. PS. Have fun 1. Andy Bowern - Freeride skier |
1.
Jody Koenders - Dutch Snowboard Champion
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1. Andy Bowern - Freeride skier
I
finally made the call to Andy Bowern amateur rider in the Courchevel
Freeride competition. We met up in Rockys Bar Courchevel 1650.
Me ordering a beer, Andy sensibly orders a coke.
Name: Andy Bowern
D.O.B.
2/3/74
Place of Birth: Dartford, Kent.
How long have you been skiing?
I started when I was 3 years old and started seasons 6 years ago
Favourite resort?
La Grave
What keeps you doing it?
For the love of the mountains and the freedom
Most dangerous moment of your life?
1999 (last season) After a huge dump I was caught in a huge avalanche
in the Creux Noirs bowl in Courchevel
Free Ride
How many times have you competed?
4
Professionals or Amateurs?
Amateurs
Positions?
1st year 42 out of 60
2nd year 38 out of 60
3rd year 38 out of 60
4th year 38 out of 60
When I am about 200 years old I should win!!!
What do you feel like at the start?
S**ting myself!
During?
Keeping it fluid- Thinking about getting down in one piece
After?
Hoping I skied it to the best of my abilities
Sponsors?
Blacks, Oakley, Francis Blanc Sports Courchevel 1650
What are your favourite Skis?
On Piste - Scott Intoxica
Off Piste - Dynastar 4x4 Arno Adam.
Future plans, hopes and dreams?
To live in the 3 valleys all year round
To teach skiing
To try to raise awareness of mountain safety
After the interview Andy took me out for a little blast where
he nearly died last season Cheers Andy!!!
Good luck for the future see you at the Ski Lodge for a beer soon.....
2. Pat Sharples - Freerider and trick skier
I
rang the number for the massive Pat Sharples (star of ski movies and
numerous magazine covers) - he answered and agreed to do a world exclusive
interview at the ski lodge for the site - we sat down in rimmers corner
(I with a lager, he with an orange juice) and pen quivering in hand
he said.............
Name: Pat David Sharples
DOB: 19/4/76
Place of birth - Bradford, Yorkshire
How long have you been skiing?
Since I was 6 years old - did my first season when I was 16
What's your favourite resort?
Courchevel and Chamonix
What keeps you doing it?
The love of skiing and the atmosphere in the resorts (plus it's a good way to make a living)
What's the most dangerous moment of your life?
I was at the top of a couloir in Courchevel 1850 and walking across the top of a cornice when the lot fell away and started a large avalanche - I was left stuck on a rock.
Freeride:
How many times have you competed?
Which one?
Holland big air - 1st
World Cup, Tignes 27th
Big air Chamonix - 1st
Courchevel Freeride - 37th but I fell. I was competing in the Pros section (only Brit in the pros)
What do you feel like at the start?
Pumped up with adrenaline and feeling ready to do the best I can
During?
If I think during the run then I haven't planned it very well
Afterwards?
Hoping it was the best I could have skied it
Sponsors?
Salomon, Oakley, Blacks, Red Eye, Kana Beach, Helly Hanson
What
are your favourite Skis?
Off Piste - Salomon AK Rockets
On Piste - Salomon X-Scream series
Trick skis - Salomon 1080's
Future plans, hopes and dreams?
To go to the Annual World Extreme championships in Alaska (it's an invitation only event). I want to be skiing when I'm 70 years old.
Or until you die?
Yeah, but that could be in the next 2 weeks!
Pat turned up for the interview with a bandage on his right hand - he crashed in training at the Boss de Boss in Chamonix 3 days ago and broke his thumb. Hope it fixes itself soon Pat and see you on the mountain for a beer.
What
luck - when I interviewed Pat, Shorty was there too (drinking lager)
so I nailed two interviews in one day...
Name: Graeme Short (shorty)
DOB: 18/11/76
Place of birth - Chelmsford, Essex
How long have you been skiing?
One and a half seasons
What's your favourite resort?
Courchevel 1850, 1650, 1550, Le Praz, La Tania (and the rest of the 3 Valleys!)
What keeps you doing it?
Fun, girls, lager, parties...
What's the most dangerous moment of your life?
Skiing with Pat Sharples! Doing the Courchevel Freeride for the first time.
Freeride:
How many times have you competed?
Once
Professionals or Amateurs?
Amateurs
Position?
38 (1 behind Andy Bowern)
What do you feel like at the start?
Good, I wasn't nervous - I thought I would be. I wanted a cigarette but no one had a light! I was more nervous about the walk up which took around 40 minutes.
During?
Just thinking about getting down to the bottom safely.
Afterwards?
Where's the nearest pub! I was so happy, I just wanted to do it again.
Sponsors?
My friends (got a snout?)
What
are your favourite Skis?
Off Piste - Dynastar 4x4 Powertracs
On Piste - Dynastar 4x4 Powertracs
Trick skis - I haven't tried any
Future plans, hopes and dreams?
I don't know, errrrrr....! I want to carry on skiing, do some more travelling, partying and meeting people.
Thanks Shorty - ski with you soon...
1. Jody Koenders - Dutch Snowboard half pipe champion
I met up with Jody shortly after him returning from winning the Dutch snowboarding championships - remember he's Dutch.
Name - Jody Koenders
DOB - 25/5/79
Born - Leidschendam, Holland
Is there a dam there? Yes!
How long have you been riding?
3 weeks a year for 6 years - this is my first season
How did you get so good?
I don't think a lot!
Favourite resort?
Tignes has a really good park
What keeps you snowboarding?
To learn new things and pulling off (jumps)
What's the most dangerous experience of your life?
The Millennium night - I lost six hours of my life!
What sponsors do you have?
Doritoes, Duotone snowboards, Adidas eyewear, Drake bindings, Level gloves, Billabong
Favourite Board?
On piste - Stylus 160
Off piste - Xtreme Mountain 172
Trick - Vert 157
What are your future hopes and dreams?
Getting bigger - to become the fastest nose slider ever!
Competition results?
First place Dutch 2000 Championships in the half pipe. I was 4th in the Boarder X
First place in the La Plagne 2000 Comp.
What do you thing about when dropping into the pipe in a big competition?
Before: Getting as high as possible and doing the most perfect trick. It's about style and air time.
During: Nothing - just going for it
After - Stoked!
Thanks Jode - pop next door for a pint soon, TC.
