Alpina partners with the Club des Sports in the ski resort of Val Thorens
Alpina is proud to announce its new partnership with the Club des Sports in the French ski resort of Val Thorens, as Official Timekeeper for the 2020/2021 season. The highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens notably hosts the Ski Cross World Cup every year, a stage that Alpina was also associated with in 2020. The competition is scheduled to take place on 19 and 20 December - behind closed doors - on the Jean-Frédéric Chapuis slope, named after the local Olympic champion and member of Alpina's team of 'Alpinists'.
Located in the Savoie, in the Vallée des Belleville in France, Val Thorens is not only the highest ski resort in Europe (2,300 metres) and the culminating point of the 3 Vallées ski region, it also forms part of the largest ski area in the world with 600 km of slopes. Nature lovers are sure to appreciate the breathtaking views, and sporty thrill seekers on the lookout for extreme challenges will not be disappointed by this vast playground, the peaks of Val Thorens offering something for everyone.
Designed to reveal future talent, the Club des Sports de Val Thorens plays an important role in the life of the resort. Combining multiple disciplines, such as ski cross, freeskiing, freeriding, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snow trailing and even biking, it is also intended for training up young sports people in the mountain professions, such as ski instructor, guide, ski lift patroller and technician. In competition, the Club des Sports now counts some 600 graduates and 400 competitors, including several young athletes taking part in the Freeride World Qualifier for the Freeride World Tour, as well as the Freeride Junior Tour for young athletes.
Ski cross, a strong history
This year in Val Thorens, the Club des Sports organises the French alpine skiing championships, as well as ski cross, which has become a core discipline at the resort. In fact, Val Thorens has hosted 17 Ski Cross European Cup stages since 2010 and 13 Ski Cross World Cup stages since winter 2013, under the direction of the Club des Sports. The World Cup stage takes place on the slope named after local ski cross champion Jean-Frédéric Chapuis, who won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics (Russia) in 2014.
A natural collaboration
Involved in alpine sports from the very beginning and committed to supporting young athletes on their way to the top, Alpina has counted Jean-Frédéric Chapuis among its team of 'Alpinists' since 2017. Having established a solid relationship with the French skier, a partnership with the Club des Sports followed naturally. After all, the Brand supports athletes, as well as the environments that allow them to express themselves - among other things, Alpina has been the Official Watch to the French Ski Federation since 2016. Alpina thus became Official Timekeeper of the Club des Sports in Val Thorens for the winter 2020/2021 season.
"We are delighted to announce this new partnership with the Club des Sports in Val Thorens. Alpina has forged close ties with members of the Club, especially through the relationship that the Brand has enjoyed with Jean-Frédéric Chapuis for several years now. So, the collaboration just seemed obvious to us. We’re also looking forward to following the World Cup stage on 19 and 20 December, though it’ll be from behind our screens this year, and wish Jean-Frédéric every success!", enthused Oliver Van Lanschot Hubrecht, Brand Director of Alpina.
"Making Alpina Official Timekeeper of the Club des Sports in Val Thorens was an obvious thing to do. With more than 130 years’ experience, the Swiss watch brand represents quality, durability and precision! Key points that we share and that allow us to build a strong partnership. I think I can say that the Club des Sports in Val Thorens and Alpina share a common vision; a permanent quest for performance and excellence!” added Thibault Combre, Director of the Club des Sports in Val Thorens.
Journey to the top
This year, Alpina is also a partner of the Ski Cross World Cup stage taking place in Val Thorens on 19 and 20 December. Traditionally, the resort hosts the opening of the Ski Cross Word Cup in early December. Offering over one minute and ten seconds of high intensity racing, its course is the most spectacular and technical in the world.
However, as a result of the health crisis the world has been going through this year, the Val Thorens stage has been rescheduled for the 19 and 20 December and will take place behind closed doors. Fans will therefore still be able to support their favourite athletes - from among the 17 nations represented - from home.