Le Franco Phoney

I received an e-mail from the La Clusaz Tourist Office a few days ago that announced the La Clusaz Free Sessions. This confirms the death of the Candide Invitational for 2009, with the event taking place in March (like the Candide Invitational), a concert on the Saturday night in the La Balme carpark (like the Candide Invitational), and an evening jib session (like the Candide Invitational). There are, of course, many differences: it’s being ‘endorsed’ by Seb Michaud (the 2008 world freeride vice-champion) and not Candide; the gig will feature ‘live rock and electro’ instead of ragga, and the competition will be held as team events (hmm—much like the Riderscup in Tignes, which Candide hosted earlier this month).

Actually, it sounds like the decision-makers of La Clusaz have actually thought this one through: the day-time events are freeride events held off-piste, filmed by professionals and viewable each afternoon before the evening jib session. My only concern is that the event will make La Clusaz look like a freeride heaven and attract freeriders who will inevitably take some of my fresh tracks from me!