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

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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

2. Pat Sharples - Freerider and trick skier

3. Graeme Short (Shorty) - Freerider

1. Jody Koenders - Dutch Snowboard Champion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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

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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.

 

 


3. Graeme Short (Shorty)

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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.

 


 

 

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