At the inaugural inter-season quiz night held at the Tav in Méribel on 3rd September, it was a La Tania team that took the honours. Several teams entered the competition, which attracted participants from both Méribel and La Tania, who put up no less than three full teams and loaned two contestants to an inter-resort team.

Looking to secure victory in the first competition was the “La Tania Business Moguls,” consisting of Georgina, Tim and Debbie Wall, the Silver Fox and newcomer Mick. A promising start, with a comfortable second place at the halfway stage, fizzled out, however, leaving the moguls sadly deflated at the end of the competition. Clearly the generous plates of burgers and chips hadn’t hit the spot. Meanwhile, arch rivals, the C***S (La Tania Ski Lodge staff) motored from down the field to overtake the Moguls in a gripping final round. Needless to say, tempers flared.

With the advantage of a home fixture, the Taverne Totty team made a teetering start on their high heels only to come blasting through into joint first at the end of round four. It was to be a nail-biting “blockbuster-esque” finale from which the Totty girls were to emerge with their nail varnish badly mauled.

The evening’s star performers were the team “Turangawaewae” featuring Kate and JB, Linz and Dave, and guest artiste 3VT John. Some inter-team disputes over terrestrial circumnavigation, the Winter Olympics and the sailing of the Titanic were to prove costly in rounds three and four, allowing the team to lose grip on its pole position and slip into a joint leaders situation. Fortunately, the vanilla shots provided at the end of round two kicked in for the final set and the Turangawaewaes romped to victory with a blistering 18 points out of twenty in round five. Deservedly, the team was awarded the €100 jackpot. Disappointed competitor T Wall said afterwards, “They did well but only because we’d had a 12-hour day. We’ll be back next time.”

But they weren’t back for the rematch on 17th September, which saw fewer participants and harder questions. Despite depleted numbers all round, the grub was as good and the competition as fierce. Turangawaewae left with first prize again and look to be the team to beat although a guest appearance from Les Allues residents gave them a good run for their money. Rumours abound of a T Wall come-back including alleged secret weapon B Wall. We’ll see.

The quiz, held every second Wednesday, is set to be a high point in the regional social calendar. As nights draw in and the quiet of the autumn descends, locals are delighted to have an evening’s entertainment to brighten up the impending gloom of October and November.

La Tania resident Ian Howe enthused, “Now that the Tav has a Wednesday quiz night, it means that those of us in La Tania with nowhere to go can enjoy two nights out a week, the other of course being the Friday night meal at the Tsaretta. The inter-season is not looking so bad after all.”

Thanks go to quiz master Pete and all the staff for a great night. Tav quiz nights are held every other Wednesday from 8pm. An all-inclusive ticket including meal, pint and quiz entry costs €15 per person. Booking is not required.

Thanks to Linz from Snow Hassle for the inter-season update!