A look back at the 68th Critérium de la Première Neige in Val d’Isère

The 68th Critérium de la Première Neige culminated in a weekend of sport and celebrations, marked by the return of the women’s races on the legendary Oreiller-Killy slope in La Daille.

In total, three events – the Men’s Giant, Women’s Downhill and Women’s Super G – were held in Val d’Isère over the last two weekends, putting on a superb show.

The adverse weather conditions led to the Men’s Slalom being cancelled on Sunday 10th December.

Published on 18 December 2023

Ingrid Jacquemod, director of Val d’Isère’s Club des Sports:

“It was a real challenge but we are proud to have worked together to deliver this fortnight-long 68th Critérium. Organising the men’s and women’s technical and speed events on two different sites, just one week apart, is always a huge undertaking, which requires man power, technical skill and logistical organisation. It took a lot of hard work and commitment from everyone involved, including the organising committee and the resort’s stakeholders in Val d’Isère.

I will remember this fortnight very fondly, despite the men’s slalom being cancelled on the first weekend: the battle that took place on the Face in the giant, which finished with a superb victory by Marco Odermatt; the stunning backdrop and the high standard of the women’s events, which were held in ideal conditions; the drone images of the Oreiller-Killy slope, which made me feel like I was there in person. The whole of Val d’Isère can feel very proud. I would like to thank the athletes and everyone who was involved in the event.”

In figures:

3 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events

153 athletes, 23 nationalities

230 volunteers

6,000 spectators for the Men’s Giant

2 slopes: Face de Bellevarde and Oreiller-Killy

1 wheel of Beaufort cheese presented to the winner of the Men’s Giant

1 calf presented to the winner of the Women’s Downhill

Results:

Saturday 9th December – Men’s Giant

1st Marco Odermatt (SUI) 2nd Marco Schwarz (AUT) 3rd Joan Verdu (AND)

French skiers: Alexis Pinturault finished 5th, Léo Anguenot and Victor Muffat-Jeandet came 21st and 25th, respectively.