Nothing like a bit of competition – City Ski Championships in Crans Montana brings out the more competitive side, but it’s all a bit of fun really.
Now in its fourth year in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana, Momentum Ski Festival incorporating the City Ski Championships is a chance for business and finance executives to continue competing against each other, but this time on snow rather than in the square mile.
It’s Friday morning and instead of the sound of mobile ringtones, pin stripped suits, take away coffees and the odd bowler hat, it’s instead the woosh of air as city workers, turned ski racers, practice on the World Championship ‘Piste National’ course above the resort of Crans Montana.
There’s a giant slalom course set up and an all British contingent of skiers from intermediates to semi-pro racers are getting some coaching from the local race trainers. There’s even a few German skiers in lycra suits hanging around looking serious.
The sun is shining on south facing Crans Montana and although the snow is plentiful, it’s starting to soften already by 11am. Nicely warmed up, it’s time for the dual slalom team race on the lower section of the Piste National. I’m racing for the Snow & Rock team and although it’s supposed to all be a bit of fun, of course really we all want to win our race.
Rob Stewart of Snow.Guide competing for Snow & Rock
Photo credit – Momentum
Snow & Rock managed to get through a couple of rounds but we were knocked out by those serious looking Germans who went onto win – at least heads held high for us.
Once we’d all released some adrenaline and our testosterone levels had melted away (women participants excluded of course of which there were around 30% in my estimations) – it was time to relax, have some food in the Momentum area at the bottom of the run, and enjoy the sunshine.
Then it was party time.
Down at Bar Zerodix, band 29 Fingers, consisting of a very early member of U2 on guitar and vocals, played in the Friday afternoon sun – the music was top class, the atmosphere was even better.
What an atmosphere!
But the partying had to stop eventually because we had work to do – the Alpine Business forum was hosted by FT Weekend Magazine Deputy Editor, Ravi Mattu. 2014‘s discussion topic was ‘The New World Of Work (A Brave New World?)’.
On the panel was the Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams MBE, as well as author Robyn Scott, author Marc de Rond, and Bruno Grande, COO of JEANRICHARD.
A fantastic dinner was laid on and then early to bed – the next day was race day, proper.
Set up on the Piste National as a full blown giant slalom course, with over 100 competitors including five time Olympic downhill racer, Graham Bell (forerunner) – the overall standard was broad and all levels are welcome to enter.
Still, right at the top, things are taken seriously and those lycra suits were out again.
Olympic skier Graham Bell at the start gate
Two runs were made through the morning and the winners from the various categories were announced at the gala dinner that evening.
You’ll be happy to know that I was the winner in the media category and proudly received my award from BBC sports commentator Matt Chilton.
Rob Stewart of Snow.Guide with the media award with representative of Crans Montana
Photo credit – Momentum
Rick Parfitt Junior, son of the legendary Status Quo singer and guitarist, ended proceedings with his band and played through the night – for some it was a case of ‘If You Can’t Stand the Heat’ but for others it was definitely a ‘Rock Till You Drop’ ending to a ‘Whatever you Want’ weekend and ‘I Ain’t Complaining’!
Photo credit – Momentum
The 2015 Momentum Ski Festival will take place on the 12th-15th March 2015
I stayed in the Hotel Crans Ambassador in Crans Montana and travelled with SWISS via Zurich Aiport