Catered ski chalet accommodation - Chatel

Catching up with Zoe Gillings

2009-05-20T23:37:00.002+02:00

Hi Guys

I finally caught up with Zoe Gillings in Chatel last week. Speaking with Zoe she was very happy with the way the season went and was looking forward to the Olympics 2010.
Zoe competed in her final Snowboardcross competition of the 2008/09 season yesterday with a breathtaking performance winning the gold medal at the British National Championships held in Laax, Switzerland. ITV covered the event which consisted of over 100 competitors including World Cup and Olympic athletes. Zoe dominated the competition from the outset, qualifying in 1st position in front of British Olympic snowboarder Lesley Mckenna. Zoe dominated the heats and quickly progressed to the final which consisted of three out of the four racers being National team members.

I will keep you updated on Zoe's progress and any updates.

Paolo

Summer at our catered chalet , Chalet Rustique

2009-05-20T23:35:00.000+02:00

Hi Everyone ,

With the end of the season fast approaching with only two weeks to go we are looking forward to a break. But with seaseon finishing brings the summer.

We still have plenty of availabilty at our catered chalet. With temperatures reaching 25 and above the mountains are the perfect place for a holiday. The alps and Chatel have plenty to offer from mountain biking, walking, white water rafting are just a few things to mention.

Also we can arrange excursions to Evian and Lussane.

Why not contact us at Chalet Rustique for more information and prices for your next summer holiday.

Paolo

Brit Gillings Makes Final In Canadian World Cup

2009-05-20T23:32:00.001+02:00

Zoe Gillings, Britains No 1 snow sports athlete finished in an impressive 4th position today in the Canadian FIS World cup final in Stoneham despite carrying a heel injury she picked up at the X-Games three weeks ago. This is the third World Cup final Zoe has competed in this season, securing her place as one of the best snowboard racers in the world. Zoe is Britains top snow sports athlete and is considered Britains best chance of an Olympic Snowsport medal in Vancouver in less than 12 months time.

Zoe went into the first heat against the World No 1, Lyndsay Jacobellis (USA), World No 2, Sandra Frei (SUI) and Susanne Moll from Austria. Zoe quickly settled in behind Jacobellis from the start and finished in a convincing 2nd position beating World No 2, Frei, securing her place in the semi final. Zoe then went into the next heat against Jacobellis , Anthoniaz (FRA) and Jekova (BUL).

Zoe continued in fine form right from the outset, quickly securing her progression into the final with another solid 2nd position finish just on the heals of Jacobellis. Zoe then went into the final against Jacobellis, Ricker (Can) and Francon (SUI), Zoe had an excellent start but lost her footing while negotiating the first banked turn effectively ending her race and finishing in fourth position.
Zoe’s World Ranking has climbed to 6th position and with 3 races left of the season, this is looking like one of Zoes best ever seasons on the World Cup snowboarding Circuit. Zoe commented after the race:- “Im really happy I made it into the final today since I thought my injury may have kept me out of the competition altogether, it was a really exciting race and I now have a few days off to find a physio and get some intensive treatment.” (Zoe gave this quote while sitting with a bag of ice on her foot)
Zoe will be releasing some exciting news in the coming weeks of her new sponsorship deal with SONY who will be providing Zoe with some technologically advanced training equipment on the lead up to the Olympics in less than 12 months time which will prove vital to her success. Zoe is continuing to prove to the World that she is a strong contender for the Gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2010.

Paolo

Zoe Gillings X- Games Injury

2009-05-20T23:30:00.000+02:00

Britains Zoe Gilling's was forced to retire early from the X-Games competition earlier today after a painful injury she recieved yesterday in qualifying.

Zoe qualified in an excellent 3rd place but on her second qualifying run sustained a painful compression injury to her right foot which put her participation in todays finals in severe doubt.

Despite suffering excrutiating pain, Zoe only decided to compete in the finals after completing one training run this morning. In normal circumstances Zoe would complete 5 or 6 training runs on the course to ensure she had the best possible chance of winning and fully understanding the course.

Zoe tentatively went into the semi finals against a World Class field including the current World No 2 (Sandra Frei) and last years World Cup Champion (Maelle Ricker)

Zoe started the race with obvious signs of pain comming out of the gate in 5th place but surprisingly managed to fight herself into a qualifying 3rd position for a majority of the course. Approaching the penultimate jump, Zoe was forced to slow her speed due to the athlete in front of her slowing herself, this caused Zoe to lose too much speed going into the jump where she then landed short of the landing area severely exagerating yesterdays compression injury.

This effectively ended Zoes X-Games competition as she was immediately taken to the medical centre for treatment.

Zoe is now expected to miss the next two competitions, hopefully being back to fitness for the next World Cup in Cypress, Canada on the 14th February.

Paolo

Armstrong plans 2009 Tour de France return,

2009-05-20T23:28:00.002+02:00

Lance Armstrong will attempt to win the Tour de France for an eighth time after confirming he will compete in the 2009 race.

Seven-times winner Armstrong, 37, who retired from cycling in 2005, but is to return to the sport next year, had been coy about taking part in the Tour.

The American cyclist has previously announced that he will race in the Giro d'Italia for the first time in 2009.

Armstrong overcame testicular cancer before his seven Tour victories.

In October the Tour de France organisers, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), said Armstrong's return would be "embarrassing".

The American has also questioned how safe he would be in riding the Tour, expressing concerns about being targeted by fans.

Armstrong will end a three-and-a-half-year absence from the sport when he rides in the Tour Down Under in Australia in January.

As the Tour de France will be in Martigny for a mountain stage and in Annecy for a time trail,our catered chalet, Chalet Rustique is situated close to both towns and could be a perfect location to base yourself to watch the two stages.

Why not contact us for our packages and prices for the Tour de France 2009.

Paolo

Christmas 2008 News just in !!!

2009-05-20T23:23:00.001+02:00

Harry eats mushroom and Georgina finally gets her cooookooo-clocken

Well we have just had our first clients of the season over the Christmas week. The Hughes family.

What a week its been. Jerry skied like a pro and tackled the slopes with style, Tom my snowboarding buddy boarded like he had been bording for years. Lucy did a great job and overcame her fear of the reds. Little Harry did great, did not enjoy ski school much but enjoyed the lessons with Fifi. I think most of the time they sat around drinking fine wines and chatting up the talent.

And finally Georgina the star pupil. Well during the week of Christmas a new sport was founded "skiing on your bum ". You did very well.You came so close to a free holiday. The Perdix Blanche Bar would like to thank you as sales of Hot Choclates rose by 65% and have even named a hot choclate after you " I ve done enough skiing for today, another hot choclate and whatever your having landlady"They sadly miss you in there a wait for your return.

I am glad to see you that you got your Cookoo clock, its very nice.

On a serious note it was great having you stay with us and we had a Fantastic week having you at the Chalet.

Remember Harry did you eat your mushrooms last night.

Paolo, Lindsey and Sophia.

Athelete of the Year Snowsport 2008/2009

2009-05-20T23:15:00.000+02:00

Zoe Gillings received an early Christmas present today when she learned she had been awarded the British Olympic Association (BOA) Athlete of the Year (Snowsport) 2008/09for the second year running. Zoe has had what can only be described as an incredible return to World Class form following her career threatening injury in 2005 where she was told she would never Snowboard again.

This award seemingly goes to confirm that Zoe Is Britains best hope of a Snowsport medal at the Olympic games in 2010; Zoe is currently ranked 6th in the World and has firmly set her sights on winning the Gold medal.

Zoe commented earlier today, “Im absolutely stoked that i have won it again, it was a great honour to win it last year but now for the second year running, i have a really big grin on my face! It wont last long though, im starting training on Sunday (28/12) so im going to enjoy it while i can.”

Sir Clive Woodward, The BOA Elite Performance Directors commented, "The presentation of the Olympic Athlete of the Year Award recognises the drive, determination and commitment of elite athletes across all of our Olympic sports as they strive to achieve their goals in the International sporting arena."

Zoe will head to Bad Gastein (Austria) for the second European leg of the World Cup tour on January 10th. For more information please visit Zoes website:- www.zoegillings.com.

Paolo

No 1 for Snow in France

2009-05-20T23:14:00.000+02:00

Its official Chatel has the best snow record in France at the moment. Many websites showing snow records for this winter are showing Chatel to have 200cm of snow at the top. In the last three days there as been more snow then what was recorded at the end of 2007/08.

So what does this tell you, well its not all about the height of the resort that matters, but where the resort is situated. Higher resorts no names metioned, have a lot less around the 150cm mark.

Chatel is situated between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc creating its own Micro Climate giving it fantastic snow falls.

So remember when looking for your next ski holiday its not the height but its geographical position.

So what are you waiting for, book your next ski holiday.

Paolo

My first ski of the season

2009-05-20T23:13:00.001+02:00

A great week -end passed by with the some lifts open. I managed to get out on Sunday for a few hours and had a blast. The snow was in good condition and the sun came out making it a perfect couple of hours.
Today its been snowing pretty much all day with more predicted this week. Chatel have also announced more lifts opening this week-end with the lifts open full time from the the 20th December.

Paolo

Plenty snow on the way!!!!

2009-05-20T23:12:00.001+02:00

Hi Guys

Looks like this week-end is the arrival of snow and plenty of it. With temperatures dropping and snow clouds in the area, we could see lots of the white stuff.
Will keep you informed

Paolo

Snow Snow Snow in Chatel

2009-05-20T23:10:00.000+02:00

Hi Guys

Well the last 24hrs have seen good amount of snow fall around Chatel and the Portes du Soleil. This great news for coming season with many of the locals predicting a cold winter ahead.
With all this snow the pistors will be out bashing it down creating that base we need for when the real snow arrives hopefully in a couple of weeks.Even as I write this blog its started to snow again.
Remember we still have some Christmas week available if you looking to get away for white Christmas.We also have other dates available so why not contact us for a price and availabilty you may be surprised.

Paolo

Zoe Gillings 4th in the world

2009-05-20T23:09:00.000+02:00

Zoe Gillings is one of Great Britains most successful Snowsport athletes of all time and is currently the highest ranked snowsport athlete in Great Britain (No 1) and ranked 4th in the World. Zoe is only 23yrs of age, has already competed at the Turin Olympics in 2006; and going toward the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 - for which she has now met all the selection criteria- GB and International, Zoe is the first ever British athlete with a very realistic chance of not just winning any Olympic snowsport medal, but the Gold medal. To date, Great Britain has never won a snowsport medal at the Olympics. Zoe only has one goal, to bring the gold medal to Great Britain.
Zoe has spent the summer months in Bath where she has undertaken some gruelling dry land training.

Paolo