L'Éclipse (ski course)

L'Éclipse
The start of the ski course
PlaceFrance Courchevel
ArchitectsBruno Tuaire, H. Trinkl
Opened16 March 2022
Downhill
Start2,235 m (7,333 ft) (AA)
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%)
The first section, called « Mur du son », seen from above
a lower section, called « Mur de la bux »

L’Éclipse is a 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 will host 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 are 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 finish area is adjacent to Tremplin du Praz, the ski jumping venue of the 1992 Winter Olympics.

History

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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

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World Championships

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

World Cup

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

Course sections

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  • 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

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  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.
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45°24′54″N 6°38′02″E / 45.415°N 6.633889°E / 45.415; 6.633889