French Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing Championships - Caisse d'Epargne Trophy in Bessans
The end of season Nordic event
The end-of-season Nordic event takes place in Bessans, in Haute Maurienne Vanoise, with the French Championships from March 31 to April 2, 2023.
More than 400 athletes will be present, including biathlon stars such as Anaïs Chevalier-Bouchet, Julia Simon and Quentin Fillon-Maillet, and cross-country skiing stars such as Maurice Manificat, Clémence Parisse and Renaud Jay, to compete for the national title.
3 days of sport and celebration...
With entertainment areas (fan workshops (making blue white and red flags, etc.), wooden game, Lazer shooting, presence of the mascot, many quizzes...) and food and drink areas (under the tent, directly on the stadium, at the start of the races) open to all.
The race program
From March 31 to April 2, hundreds of cross-country skiers and biathletes, women and men, from U16 to the greatest senior champions, will compete in the leading Nordic events. Cross-country skiing: sprint and relay in classic style, mass start in skating. Biathlon: mass start and relay.Sprinting (cross-country skiing, classic style)
Ultra-spectacular races in classic cross-country skiing. A format with qualification then ¼ finals, ½ finals and final with each time 6 runners who start in line on a course from 900 (for women U16) to 1200 meters (senior men). The races are always intense and often nervous with risks of falls or breakage which are obviously irrecoverable on a few minutes of course.
The mass start (cross-country skiing, skating)
Very spectacular races to watch. The skiers start all together (but advantage to the best who are in the first line) and a rather simple principle: thefirst to arrive wins!
Relay (cross-country skiing and biathlon)
As its name indicates, a team race. Teams made up of 4 skiers who will each ski the same course. In cross-country, the first two relay skiers ski in classic style and the last two in skating. In cross-country or biathlon, the relay starts in mass start.
The mass start (biathlon)
The most important race on TV from now on. Of course: mass-start races are very visual, uncertain until the end and quite easy to follow, even for non-specialists. 30 runners on the start line, thefirst one to arrive wins. 5 loops to do and 4 passages on the shooting range (2 prone shots and 2 standing shots). For each missed target, you have to do a penalty lap. Ultra-complete races for the athletes and high tension for the spectators.
Attend the races
The show promises to be dense and intense during the three days. The French Championships will be an opportunity to see, encourage and approach the biggest names in cross-country skiing and biathlon in France, but also the next generation whose ambition will be just as great in Bessans. Throughout the weekend you will also be able to take advantage of numerous activities in the Carreley area, including a village of brands (partners of the French Ski Federation) and catering areas.
Bessans, a must for Nordic skiing
Training ground for the French teams since November 5thBessans has been awarded the Nordic France label and is a reference among Nordic destinations. Located on a high plateau at an altitude of 1750 meters, the "Nordic capital of the Alps" has 133 km of groomed trails. Thanks to its climate and its ideal location, the Nordic area of Bessans offers very good quality skiing from autumn. An early opening reinforced by the snowfarming technique.
At the beginning of the season, the international biathlon stadium has already hosted a round of the Samse National Tour of biathlon on December 3 and 4 and another of the national cross-country skiing circuit on December 10 and 11, but also the inevitable International Marathon of Bessans on January 7 and 8. These events are supported by all of the resort's stakeholders, including the Etoile Sportive Bessanaise club which is also organizing the 2023 French Championships. Championships that Bessans had already hosted in 2017.
Simon Fourcade
Coach of the French Biathlon Team
Why did you choose Bessans for the French cross-country skiing and biathlon championships?
"For the quality of the facilities and the snow. In Bessans, we never have any surprises when it comes to snow. The resort always guarantees good snow conditions, even late in the season. It is a very well known site in the world of biathlon, thanks to the quality of its facilities and the services facilitated by the resort's piste service. The French teams train in Bessans in the summer and in the fall, with the early opening of the slopes thanks to the snowfarming. Coming also at the end of the season for the French Championships is a fair return to celebrate the end of the season!
What is the interest of these Championships at the end of the season?
"National titles, very envied, will be at stake. Winning them will allow us to finish in a good way a winter more or less rich in victories. The other interest of these French Championships, is, for the participants, the possibility of confronting each other on the same events. Because we will have not only the teams of France A and B but also athletes from the Committees and Clubs. It is not every day that they can confront the national elite. A beautiful challenge!"
Which biathletes will be present at the French Championships?
"It is already certain that Emilien Jacquelin, Anaïs Chevalier, Julia Simon and Quentin Fillon-Maillet will be present, unless there is a problem, which of course no one wants them to be. For months, each of them has been leading their own way, most of them competing in the World Cup. These great names of the French biathlon will celebrate with dignity the end of their well-deserved season..."
Book your accommodation in Bessans to follow the French Championships
BookFAQ
CASHLESS AND LYFPAYBy creating an account, you can:
- Consult your card balance and transaction history
- Register your credit card for faster reloading
- Block your card and get a new one in case of loss or theft
- Reload before the event via the website
- Get your balance refunded after the event
Note that creating an online account is optional and can be done at any time.
Once at the event reception, you can go to the cashless tent on the right before the footbridge that gives access to the Partners Village to get your card.
This card will be the only means of payment accepted on the entire competition site for your drinks and the food court.
During the event you can recharge your card in two ways:
- With your smartphone on the event website or app
- At the "cashless tents" present on the competition site. Map of the competition site displayed at the entrance of the competition site or available here.
You can top up your account as many times as you like, before and during the event.
You can ask for your card to be blocked by going to a "cashless tent".
This identification is required to block your card. If you have not created an account and associated your card, the blocking will be impossible.
Your card is like your wallet: if you lose it, the money stored on it will also be lost.
It is possible to recover the money remaining on your card after the event if the balance of your card is higher than 0,5€. To do this, log in to your account and check that your balance appears. You can then request a refund and enter the credit card to which the money will be credited.
If your balance does not appear, check that your card is linked to your account: the 6-letter identifier must be indicated next to your e-mail address.
If you did not create an account, you will be able to do so by using the 6-letter ID on your card.
Refund requests are open until 04/18/2023 at 11:59pm.
No, you can recharge your card directly at the cashless tents. Your card will then remain completely anonymous. Please note: in this case, your card cannot be blocked in case of loss or theft.
No, it is not possible to use another card than the one provided during the event.
No, this card is completely free.
If you have created an account, you will be able to view your balance on the event website. You can also request your balance at a "cashless tent".
Yes, you can access your transaction summary via your account on the event website.
Your card is equipped with an electronic chip in which your money is stored. Take care of it to avoid any inconvenience! Avoid any exposure to heat or flame and do not try to pierce it: this would immediately render it inoperative.
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