L'Éclipse (ski course)

L'Éclipse
The start of the ski course
Place Courchevel
ArchitectsBruno Tuaire, H. Trinkl
Opened16 March 2022
Downhill
Start2,235 m (7,333 ft) (NGF - IGN69)
Finish1,290 m (4,232 ft)
Vertical drop   945 m (3,100 ft)
Length3.100 km (1.93 mi)
Max. incline31.4 degrees (61%)
Avg. incline16.7 degrees (30%)
Min. incline  6.3 degrees (11%)

L’Éclipse is a World Cup downhill ski course in Courchevel, France, opened in 2022. It was designed by Bruno Tuaire and Hannes Trinkl and built for the 2023 World Championships, and then has been hosting five men's alpine events.[1]

In March 2022, it hosted the speed events of the World Cup finals for men and women.

The "Roc de Fer" ski course in nearby Méribel and L’Éclipse were co-hosting the World Championships in 2023.

This black course has a maximum incline of 31.4 degrees (61% gradient) and one of the steepest average inclines in the world with 16.7 degrees (30%), even more than dowhnill in Kitzbühel (27%) or Wengen (26%).[2][3]

The start begins near Col de la Loze, while the finish area is adjacent to Tremplin du Praz, the ski jumping venue of the 1992 Winter Olympics.

History

On 16 March 2022, this course originally intended for men only, was officially opened with both men's and women's downhill events, as the upper part of the "Roc de Fer" women's ski course in Méribel wasn't fully rebuilt yet.[4][5]

Events

World Championships

Year Date Event Winner Second place Third place
↓ Men ↓
2023 7 February   AC Alexis Pinturault Marco Schwarz Raphael Haaser
9 February   SG James Crawford Aleksander A. Kilde Alexis Pinturault
12 February   DH    Marco Odermatt Aleksander A. Kilde Cameron Alexander
17 February   GS    Marco Odermatt   Loïc Meillard Marco Schwarz
19 February   SL Henrik Kristoffersen AJ Ginnis Alex Vinatzer

World Cup

Season Date Event Winner Second place Third place
↓ Women ↓
2021/22 16 March   DH Mikaela Shiffrin Christine Scheyer
   Joana Hählen
17 March   SG Ragnhild Mowinckel Mikaela Shiffrin    Michelle Gisin
↓ Men ↓
2021/22 16 March   DH Vincent Kriechmayr    Marco Odermatt    Beat Feuz
17 March   SG Vincent Kriechmayr    Marco Odermatt    Gino Caviezel

Course sections

  • Saut du Zenith – Mur du Son – Le S Des Arolles – Saut Des Jockeys – Le Trou Noir – Mur De La Bux – L'Envol – Le Mur Des Braves

References

  1. ^ "Courchevel's Brand New Black Piste - Eclipse". mh2ski.co.uk. 26 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Courchevel Eclipse: discover the Alpine World Ski Championships men's race slope". mh2ski.co.uk. 18 September 2020.
  3. ^ "L'Eclipse. Courchevel-Méribel 2023 Racecourse". alpineskiworldcup.com. 6 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Aleksander Aamodt Kilde secures downhill globe as Vincent Kriechmayr wins in Courchevel and Odermatt..." olympics.com. 16 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Mikaela Shiffrin seals shock downhill race victory at World Cup Finals in Courchevel". olympics.com. 16 March 2022.

45°25′53″N 6°37′07″E / 45.4315°N 6.6185°E / 45.4315; 6.6185