September 20 - Olympic champions Edgar Grospiron, the chief executive of Annecy 2018, and Jean-Pierre Vidal, an ambassador for the bid, teamed up to take part in the sporting and environmental challenge, the "Snowflake to Wave Odyssey".



Grospiron, the 1992 Olympic moguls champion, and Vidal, the 2002 slalom gold medallist, were joined by Luc Alphand, the 1997 alpine skiing overall World Cup winner, and Aurélien Ducroz, the 2009 world freeride champion, in the two-day event which pitted ten teams made up of four champions from a variety of sports.

They competed against each other along a natural route following the water cycle, from the heights of the everlasting snow of the Mont Blanc to Lake Annecy, Europe's purest lake, some 3,200 metres below.

"I am extremely proud of Annecy 2018's involvement in this operation, which features champions from the interconnecting worlds of water, snow and ice sports," said Grospiron.

"This highly innovative sporting event, firmly rooted in a spirit of sustainable development, corresponding to young people's expectations in the field of sports, is totally in phase with what we are seeking to embody with Annecy's bid for the 2018 Olympic Games.

"It is an integral part of the groundbreaking, concrete actions that the French bid, embodied by Annecy 2018, will be proposing to the IOC over the coming months."

The aim of the event was to recreate the journey of a snowflake through its three phases - water, snow and ice - and promotes the natural environments providing a backdrop for the sporting events, while encouraging eco-responsible attitudes among the younger generations. 

Teams took part in events such as downhill skiing, snowboard, trail running, hydrospeed, stand-up paddle, kayak, surfing, paddle board, Hawaiian dugout canoeing and mountaineering.



Vidal said: "Placing the spotlight on the priceless value of water for humanity, as well as its fragile nature, via a sporting tribute in an event such as this, fully equates with our ambitions for Annecy 2018 in terms of sustainable development.

"This entirely eco-designed project is unique in that it brings together sports men and women from all horizons, water cycle experts, associations, companies and institutions, as well as sporting federations.

"It is a tremendous example of our ability to federate, to associate and to co-create our Olympic bid."