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Official Timing
www.fis-ccwc-laclusaz.fr
WELCOME
TO La Clusaz
The 20th and 21st December 2014 will be the seventh time La Clusaz has
hosted the only French stage in the Cross-Country World Cup presented by
Viessmann.
The resort has a solid reputation for organising top class international sporting
events and with the help of hundreds of volunteers, the “Nordic weekend” on
the Confins Plateau is always a huge success. This year will be no different,
with over 200 of the world’s best cross-country skiers, 150 journalists, almost
350 volunteers and 20,000 spectators expected.
The Press Office is ready and waiting to welcome you to this weekend full of
sporting passion and is dedicated to making this weekend a success for all!
programme
2014/2015
cross country world cup
presented by VIESSMANN
•29 and 30 November 2014 - Ruka, Finland
•5, 6 and 7 December 2014 - Lillehammer, Norway
•13 and 14 December 2014 - Davos, Switzerland
•20 & 21 December 2014 - La Clusaz , France
•From 3 to 11 January 2015 «Tour de ski»
Germany, Switzerland, Italy
•17 and 18 January 2015 - Otepää, Estonia
•23, 24 and 25 January 2015 - Rybinsk, Russia
•14 and 15 February 2015 - Oestersund, Sweden
•From18 February to 1st March 2015 «Cross Country
World championship» Falun, Sweden
•7 and 8 March 2015 - Lahti, Finlande
•11 March 2015 - Drammen, Norway
•14 et 15 March 2015 - Oslo, Norvège
Official Programme:
An impressive 4 international events !
For the only French stage of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup presented by Viessmann, 4 events will take place
in La Clusaz (2 for men and 2 for women):
• Saturday 20 décember :
Individual Mass Start men and women’s events, known as “Skiathlon” (15km for women and 30km for men). The
race starts with the classic technique and equipment is changed half-way (7.5km for women and 15km for men)
for a skating finish.
• sunday 21 december :
Relay events (4x5km for women and 4x7.5km for men). The first 2 racers are classic style, the last two race in
skating style.
Date
Compétition
Training*
Team Captains’
Meeting
thursday
Course open
friday
10.30 am - 1 pm
Official training
5 pm
Azureva Hotel
8 am - 10.25 am
2 pm - 4.30pm
Course open
5 pm
Azureva Hotel
Saturday
10.30 am
15km / Skiathlon
Women
12 pm
30km / Skiathlon
men
sunday
10.30am
Women’s relay
12 pm
Men’s relay
8 am -10.25 am
Course open
Other(s)
6 pm
Official Prize giving
ceremony
(top 6 women and
men) – at the square
in front of the church
*subject to change
la clusaz,
A stunning location
At the foot of the Aravis Mountain range, La Clusaz offers fantastic winter sports in a beautiful natural setting. It is
well-known for its high quality nordic and downhill terrains, open until the end of April.
The resort has managed to maintain the charm of a year-round alpine village with the dynamism of a modern ski
resort.
With such a wide range of events programming, La Clusaz has developed an extensive knowledge and experience
in the organisation of major sporting events. In December 2014, the FIS Cross-country World Cup will be taking
place for the seventh time on the mythic Confins Plateau.
The Confins stadium
Nestling into the magnificent Aravis coombs above the Confins Lake, the World Cup stadium is well-known for its
amazing backdrop and ease of access.
The La Clusaz stadium is compact, with spectacular tracks that are visible to nearly 80% of the public directly from
the stadium, which is what appeals to the FIS, In Front audio-visual production and especially to the public.
Spectators can view the races almost in their entirety, creating a unique atmosphere and proximity between
athletes and their supporters.
The Confins Plateau has the most visitors for cross-country skiing in the Haute Savoie. The official site for the World
Cups in 1987, 2004, 2006, 2008 2010 and 2013, it has 50km of tracks in a breathtaking setting and a 7km liaison
with the Grand Bornand resort. The site has been awarded the label of quality, « Nordique France 4 Nordiques »
for the last 10 years and is dedicated to the protection of the environment. Indeed, the Confins Plateau is the only
cross-country ski site to use an electric snowmobile, 100% noise free and non-polluting.
The snow stadium
With 3 tracks especially constructed for the event, the stadium
fulfils the different criteria required by the FIS:
• A 3.175km track
Used for: Women and men’s individual races (classical style)
Maximum hill: 44m
Total hill: 111m
• A 2.500km track
Used for: Women and men’s relay race
Women and men’s individual races (skating style)
Maximum hill: 25m
Total hill: 81m
Home of Vincent Vittoz
With 10 world champions and a host of young up and coming talents, La Clusaz is a resort for all snow sports but
especially home to a big name in cross-country skiing : Vincent Vittoz.
Sunday 20th February 2005 will remain in the annals of French cross-country skiing and in the history of La Clusaz:
on becoming Skiathlon World Champion at the world championships in Obertsdorf in Germany, he became the
first ever cross-country gold medalist in France. The champion is very attached to his home town and all it means
to be part of this historical and international resort!
« The La Clusaz cross-country skiing stage has always been one of my favourites. As an athlete, nothing beats the
feeling of returning to the place you first started skiing where the whole village comes together to help organise the
event. I still get such a rush from skiing in front of my home crowd. I’m delighted that La Clusaz is again organising
the event, the resort has built up a solid know-how in the organisation of international events and all the athletes love
coming here to compete against the magnificent backdrop of the Confins. It’s very important for French cross-country
skiing as it brings our sport to the fore and it is also a fantastic experience for local skiers. »
Quick biography
Vincent Vittoz
• FIS Cross Country World Champion (Obertsdorf, GER, 2005)
• Word Cup: 9 individual victories, 1 team relay victory, 10 individual 2nd
places, 1 team relay 2nd place, 8 individual 3rd places, 4 team relay 3rd places
• 2nd at the general World Cup ranking (2005), 3 times 2nd at the general
long distance World Cup ranking (2005, 2006, 2007)
• Double FIS Roller Ski World Champion (Cogne, ITA, 2002)
• 3 times Military Cross-Country France Champion (2007, 2008, 2009)
• 38 times Senior Cross-Country France Champion
• twice 4th of the Olympics team relay (Turin, Vancouver)
• 5th at the Vancouver Olympics 15 km free
Nordic ski area information
•2 Plateau (Beauregard 1600m, les Confins 1450 m)
•86km Nordic slopes :50km in the Confins and 36km on
Beauregard
•24 circuits : 13 in the Confins and 11 on Beauregard
•1 dedicated skate skiing slope (all are accessible for
skate skiing)
•Children’s snow garden
•1 Nordic Ski Park
•1 Nordic cross
•Linked to Le Grand Bornand by a 7km black run
•The Confins area has been awarded the « 4 Nordiques»
by Nordique France
a word
from our champions
They rocked planet ski last winter,
not just in cross-country, but for
all winter sports lovers, in winning
bronze in the 4x10kms relay at the
Winter Olympic Games in Sotchi.
The 4 friends and team-mates
Ivan Perrillat Boiteux, Jean Marc
Gaillard, Maurice Manificat and
Robin Duvillard are the names to
watch. Come and cheer them on at
the La Clusaz World Cup and relive
the emotions of the Games!
• How important is the CCWC stage in La Clusaz being the only stage held in France ?
JMG - The World Cup in La Clusaz is a very special event for us and it is one of our priority events. I myself, have
participated in every event in La Clusaz since 2004 and one of my best sporting memories was our victory here that
year. You are always excited to come back and feel the support of a home crowd.
RD - I love competing in front of a French crowd and giving back a little to our supporters, who don’t often get a chance
to see us in competition. It is really important for the sport to have high level competions on our own territory as it
encourages up and coming youngsters to take up our sport.
IP - It’s always motivating to compete in front of a home crowd, it motivates us to do even better and get people talking
about cross-country skiing in France!
• What’s different about this stage ?
JMG - The circuit is quite atypical, the course is not very big, but it’s demanding, the descents are quite short but
technical, so you have less chance to recuperate. One of the biggest advantages is that the course is visible for a large
crowd as we stay on the Confins plateau. It’s a wide track so the race can be a fair one. Of course added to that is the
amazing natural setting which is just the cherry on the cake ! Foreign competitors are always delighted with their
weekend in La Clusaz.
RD – The 2 particularlites of this stage for me, is the altitude and the difficulty, because even for us, 1500m is not very high
and most competitors are not used to competing at such a low altitude. For an endurance sport the altitude intensifies
the effort needed and the famous « 3 bumps » section of the course is feared by all! All international competitors are
keen to race here though, which proves the quality of the La Clusaz stage!
• Anything to add Jean Marc…
JMG - We always love coming La Clusaz for the World Cup, you can’t go wrong with such amazing surroundings. The
atmosphere is great with all the top names in the world, it’s a real crowd puller. After the success of local boy Vincent
Vittoz on home ground a few years ago, we are looking forward to a massive support to help us knock the Norwegians,
Russians and Swedish off the podiums! Come and support the French team on the 20th and 21st December in La
Clusaz and help us win some medals!
An important event for
international athletes
This world class competition has become
an essential stage for the biggest
international Nordic athletes incuding:
Dario Cologna, Petter Northug, Marit
Bjoergen, Justyna Kowalczyk, Therese
Johaug and of course Jean Marc Gaillard
and Maurice Manificat will be present.
20,000 spectators will be flocking to the
Confins Plateau this year to watch the
almost 30 nations and 200 athletes taking
part from Norway, Russia and Germany, to
name just a few!
THE STATS...
•7 editions (1987, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2014)
•200 athletes and 200 personnel
•30 countries represented
•120 accredited journalists (French and foreign press)
•10 000 to 12 000 spectators each race day
•350 volunteers
•8 nations (FRA, NOR, SWE, SUI, GER, RUS, CAN, FIN) present
with their waxing truck. 2 in 2010 and 5 in 2013.
•18 cameras spread out along the circuit to broadcast the
World Cup live to all the European countries.
•12 km of cables link the cameras to the production truck.
Practical Informations
Main Media Centre
Address : Centre of the village - 1st floor of the Tourist Office ( Only collection point for official press passes )
Opening :
• Thursday 18th December : 2pm to 5pm
• Friday 19th December: 10am to 5pm
• Saturday 20th December: 8am to 5pm
• Sunday 21st December: 8am to 5pm
Sub Media Centre
Address : Les Confins - beside the start and finish stadium
Opening :
• Thursday 18th December : 2am to 18am
• Friday 19th December: 9m to 8pm
• Saturday 20th December: 8am to 8pm
• Sunday 21th December: 8am to 18am
shutlles buses
Quick access : a shuttle buses service exclusively reserved for journalists and photographers will be provided from the
centre of the village to the official race site in the Confins every 10 minutes.
Press Contact / accreditations
Aurélie Forge
La Clusaz press officer
[email protected]
+33(0)4 50 32 65 02
+33(0)6 71 87 01 86
Organisation Contact
Stéphane VITTOZ
Director of the Club des Sports de la Clusaz
+33(0)4 50 32 69 50
[email protected]
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@fisccwclaclusaz
fis-ccwc-laclusaz.fr