Riders et médaillés olympiques
Sandra LAOURA (Aged 27)
FREESTYLE SKIING /BUMPS
Bronze medal winner at the Turin Olympics in 2006. Three times Champion of France (04, 05 and 06)
Sponsors : la Plagne, Rossignol, Bart et JeeVice
Born in Algeria in 1980, Sandra came to la Plagne at the age of 2. Enthusiastic and willing, she was well on her way to the top in the French team. In February 2006, at the Turin Olympics, she was the first French lady to win a medal and we can all remember her smiles and tears on the podium. But in January 2007, while training in, Sandra had a very serious fall. She underwent emergency spinal surgery and, ever since, she has been battling to regain the use of her legs. La Plagne will always be right behind her.
Grégoire DUFOSSE (Aged 22)
FREESTYLE SKIING /BUMPS
2nd in the World Cup at Deer Valley in the USA
Sponsors : la Plagne, Ideoneski
After only a short while in the French Bump Skiing Team, Greg surprised the whole world last winter by coming 2nd in the World Cup at Deer Valley in the USA and finishing 10th overall in the World Cup events. Young, highly motivated and hardworking, his aim for 2008 is several podium finishes in the World Cup and to start training for the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.
Kevin ROLLAND (Aged 18)
FREESTYLE SKIING
Halfpipe Junior World Champion in 2007, 2nd of the Whistler Invitational 2007
Sponsors : la Plagne, Rossignol, Adidas, Giro
At only 18 years of age, Kevin
already has an impressive list of successes to his name – Halfpipe
Junior World Champion, 1st in slopestyle at the Austrian Open, 3rd in
the halfpipe at the Nippon Open, runner-up in the French slopestyle and
halfpipe championships etc. More comfortable on the halfpipe than the
slopestyle, he just loves taking off on the enormous big airs. His
targets for this winter - a medal at the X Games and to finish on the
podium as many times as he can in international competition.
Marie MARTINOD (Aged 23)
FREESTYLE SKIING
Bronze medal winner in the halfpipe at the X Games in 2006 Halfpipe World Cup winner 2005
Sponsors : la Plagne, Dynastar, Oxbow, Electric, Level, Schullcamdy
Marie Martinod is the epitome of the female freestyle skier.
Her bronze medal at the X Games in 2006 was a real crowning moment. "By
giving it large” like her male counterparts, she has made her mark on
this rather "macho" world. Last winter in association with some
girlfriends, the best freestylers on skis, snowboard, skateboard and
surfboard she made the video "Snowhite", the 1st 100% girl video.
Throughout the season, their podcasts are on line on their all girl
website : www.snowhiteprod.com
Marc MAROUD
The uncatchable runner of the VEO 2000 Club
Nouria NEWMAN (Aged 16)
KAYAK
All of 16 years old (17 in September), Nouria has already been competing above her age-group for several seasons. A hopeful of French slalom kayak (1st in the juniors at the French Championships at Bourg Saint Maurice in 2007 and 4th in the seniors at 15!) and Freestyle kayak (3rd junior - at 15! – in the World Championships in Canada in 2007), she only took up the sport 5 years ago on the alpine rivers, reputed to be the toughest. She has already travelled across a number of countries in search of fresh water (Costa Rica, Canada, Monte Negro…).
Marc HAZIZA
Pro skater since the 90's.
Street, Ramp, mini ramp, bowl, pool, rail, flat and big air, downhill… Marc gives his sport all he’s got! After his first success at 16, he threw himself into competition, at "just the right time”! French Ramp Champion in 1995, and Street in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, European Street Champion in 1997 and 2000. A traveller through and through, Marc chose Australia to skate and to spend the winter, or the summer, in fact whenever it’s warm there and cold here! In 2006, he joined the Quiksilver team, "Team Captain", and followed the competition and demo trail round the world.
David ALLEMOZ (31 ans)
FREERIDE SKIING
Sponsors : la Plagne, Sun Valley, Head, Ford, Eloura
An avid fan of mountain activities in their purest form, David is constantly seeking out fresh slopes. He travels incessantly to the four corners of the earth - Greenland, the Caucasus, Ushuaia, Chile, India etc. His finest feat was climbing to the top of Himlung at 7126m in Nepal in 2004. Four years later, he’s preparing a new expedition to climb an 8000m peak in Tibet, planned for September 2008.
Julien REGNIER (28 ans)
FREESTYLE SKIING
Sponsors : la Plagne, Armada, Pull-in, Urge, Adidas, Whiteout, Ogio
Apart from being a pioneer and a top name in freestyle skiing, Julien Régnier is a real businessman. First, he created the Armada ski brand with some of his mates. Then in 2006, he launched "Weski" magazine with Camille Jaccoux amongst others. Last winter, he set up a production company to make videos with the best freestylers of the day like JP Auclair, Fabien Maïerhoffer, etc.
Stef ROUTIN (37 ans)
SNOWBOARD
Sponsors : la Plagne, Flow, Dakine, Dr Zipe, Oxbow, ABS, Commençal
Stef is from the generation after Régis Rolland when using a ski lift with a snowboard was forbidden. At 37, he is one of the only snowboarders still around who lived through the entire development of the sport. The multi-skilled Stef is as much of a name in freeride as in freestyle. Following an injury to his heel at the end of last winter, he’s hoping to make a full recovery and come back for this season at the highest level and on the top of his form.
Julien LIZEROUX (28 ans)
ALPINE SKIING /SLALOM
6th in the World Cup slalom at Alta Badia in 2007
Sponsors: la Plagne, Fischer, Reusch, Leki, Cébé, Dalkia, Richelieu Patrimoine
After a series of injuries, Julien
was confined to the European Cup circuit for several seasons. Last
winter everything fell into place and he ended the season ranked 23rd
slalom skier in the world and even finished 6th in the World Cup at
Alta Badia. At 28, he’s been in the French team for 9 years. His
ambitions for 2008 – get on the podium a few times in the World Cup and
break into the top 15 slalomers on the World Cup circuit.
Julien Lizeroux - Fanclub
Julien Lizeroux's Web Site
Thomas GIROD (Aged 24)
ONE-MAN LUGE
Sponsors : la Plagne
Thomas has been taking part in international competitions in the one-man luge for ten years or so. Last winter, he achieved his best result finishing 14th in the World Cup at Oberhof in Germany. Thomas is utterly passionate about his sport and last winter he carried out some experiments on his luge which had never been tried before. The aim was to put into use some new parts to improve the handling and further increase the speed of his machine. His competition results can be attributed to the production of these new parts.
GRÉGORY SAINT GÉNIES (Aged 30)
SKELETON
Winner of the European Cup circuit in 2006/2007 and senior champion of France in 2007
Sponsors : la Plagne,Gymnova
Last winter, Grégory covered himself in glory, winning the European Cup circuit and the European Cup round at Cesana in Italy, coming 2nd in the European Cup event at Konigsee in Germany and winning the Senior French Championships etc. What’s more, he was ranked 21st on the combined World Cup circuit. He has already started his build up to the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 and his aim for this season is to prepare for the Olympic qualification year.