Grandvalira has released all the details on the first edition of GrandRide, the Freeride World Qualifier trial to be held on the weekend of 15–16 February in the Encamp sector.
The competition will take place on the north face of Pic Alt de Cubil. The starting point is at an altitude of 2,833 metres and the finish line is at 2,295 metres, a difference of 538 metres.
The course director will be none other than Bruno Compagnet, a legend in freeride, who will be providing his vast experience for this inaugural edition of the trial. The Frenchman was the first rider of his country to win the Freeride World Championship in 1994 in Alaska. 20 years later, he has continued to be a leading freerider, as throughout his career he has reached many other milestones, such as first place at the Courchevel Freeride Classic (1998) and second place at Verbier Xtreme (2005). Compagnet, known on the freeride scene as The Legend, is also a high mountain guide and works alongside several brands of sporting material.
Riders from 11 countries are already confirmed for GrandRide Grandvalira: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, France, Italy, New Zealand, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. In total, 89 competitors have registered via the FWT website, 75 men and 14 women. It is also of note that the riders Dani Fornell, Àlex Antor, Joaquín Vena, Lucas Swieykowski and Olof Larsson have wildcards to take part in this competition.
GrandRide forms part of Grandvalira's serious commitment to Freeride. The Andorran resort has greatly encouraged this format, especially since the last season, thanks to partners such as GORE-TEX© and great international riders like Seb Michaud, Giuliano Bordoni and of course, Bruno Compagnet himself. In line with this strategy and with safety in mind, Grandvalira has started the Freeride Center for this 2013–2014 season, a section of the Ski School dedicated to this specialty which forms part of the Freeride World Tour Club. In fact, the Grandvalira Freeride Center is the only school in the whole of the Pyrenees that is approved by this prestigious freeride worldwide organization.
Grandvalira GrandRide Program
Friday 14 February – L’Abarset (El Tarter)
7.00 p.m. Welcome and presentation
Accreditation and hand-out of race numbers
Inaugural party
Saturday 15 February – Pic Alt de Cubil (Encamp)
10.15 a.m. Start of semi-finals
6.30 p.m. Party in L’Abarset (El Tarter)
7.00 p.m. Classification
Sunday 16 February – Pic Alt de Cubil (Encamp)
10.00 a.m. Start of finals
1.30 p.m. Barbecue at Solanelles/Funicamp
2.00 p.m. Awards ceremony at Solanelles/Funicamp