108 racers from 17 nations participated in the 2009 FIS Speed Skiing World Championships in Vars (FRA) last week. After 3 days of poor weather including significant snowfall from 18th-20th January, the competitions were held in ideal conditions on the Chabrières piste on 21st-22nd January 2009.

After four competition runs, Karine Dubouchet (FRA) and Simone Origone (ITA) are the 2009 FIS World Champions in Speed Skiing. For Simone, it is the third title although he did not break his record with his final result of 225,00km/h. Philippe May (SUI) won the silver medal ahead of his teammate Jonathan Moret. Bastien Montes (FRA) and Jukka Viitasaari (FIN) tied for the fourth place.

On the ladies side, Karine Dubouchet delivered an impressive comeback from a break at home with two children. She seems to have worked very hard to win this gold medal with 213,523km/h which was just a touch faster than both Elena Banfo (ITA) and defending 2007 champion Sanna Tidstrand (SWE) who tied for the silver medal.

In the recently introduced downhill category, the ladies' gold medal went to the Beijing Olympic champion in BMX, Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA). In the men's SDH class - where standard Alpine downhill equipment is used - Gregory Meichty (also from SUI) beat the competition with a staggering 195,758km/h.

The feedback was unanimous in that the organizers in Vars did a wonderful job in putting up great championships. In the words of one racer: "Hats off for achieving a highly successful event during which every racer from every nation greatly enjoyed the warm and friendly hospitality of Vars!"

FIS news
30.1.2009