WINTER SPORTS AT CHAMONIX

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 5

WINTER SPORTS AT CHAMONIX

By

Hilda Hazlett.

Here we are, at last, at Chamonix, a winter sports resort at the foot of Mont Blanc, on the border of France and Switzerland. We have been 24 hours on the journey from Mentone, Riviera, and consequently are not at all sorry to reach our destination It is quite a peaceful little station that we have arrived at, for the snow has deadened any rumble of traffic. To our great delight we are conducted to a sleigh, or “traino,” as it is called, in this part of the globe. It is fantastically painted in black and red. Our steed has bells on the harness, and goes along at a spanking pace, tinlding merrily as he runs. There is snow everywhere—feet deep—on the roofs of the houses and on the ground. We gaze about us, quite thrilled by the picturesqueness of it all. • The lights of the little shops are lit, and the effect of the reflections on the snow makes us almost imagine that we are looking on a scene out of a fairy tale. People pass us driving in sleighs through the narrow streets, or gliding along on skis—nearly all talking in foreign tongue, and shouts of laughter can be heard. An atmosphere of brightness and enjoyment prevails. We feel that we can hardly wait until the morning to explore this world of snow. The next day we look out of our window to take a good view of the Alps. At first we are almost disappointed at the appearance of Mont Blanc —the prized possession of the three countries- —France, Switzerland, and Italy The peak has hardly the majestic grandeur that we have been expecting. We console ourselves, however, by thinking of getting a better view from further afield. Our meditations are interrupted by a knock at the door, and a voice is heard: “Mam’selle, le professeur de ski est arrive.” We expect to meet an Oxford don at the very least, and are amused to find downstairs a French guide, who is pleasantlooking but not alarmingly intellectual. Our boots do not meet with his approval, and after he has conducted us to a shop we come forth resplendent in hob-nailed footwear. Clad in waterproof coats and trousers and woollen hats, we are now all ready for the fray. The long wooden skis are strapped on to our new boots, and armed with two batons (sticks) we walk very cannily over the snow up to the skiing slope. Here everyone seems to be full of vim. We look with envy on those who are gliding gracefully down the steep slope on their skis. Our “professeur” gives a demonstration for us, and we feel ' reassured that it is all quite simple. Place the right ski slightly in advance of the other, bend the knee, and give a push off at the back with the batons You hear a murmur from the “professeur” : “N’avez pas peur” (“Don’t be frightened”), gee, whiz! away you go—and the next moment you are rolling in the snow. You pick yourself up with some difficulty and repeat the experiment, invariably with the same result. It is only a matter of practice, however, and once you get your balance and direction you find ski-ing the most exhilarating sport that you can possible imagine. You feel that you want to live on the skis. On the same snow slope there is a piste or huge track, down which people are taboggoning on funny little wooden supports which look almost like children’s toys. The pace is very swift and occasionally there is a collision on the track, but that only adds to the fun. The “Patinoire,” or skating rink, is yet to be explored, and here we find champions arriving daily to take part in the Olympic sports. It is most entertaining to see them practising their wonderful stunts. Miss Kathleen Loughran, the Canadian expert, usually has an admiring audience round her while she practises her graceful figure skating. The Swedish champion, Rafeh Grafstrom, is also to be seen bending down on his skate and spinning round and round almost with the action of a top. On the opening day of the sports the town is much befiagged, and in the procession 12 different countries are represented. The competitors are sporting their national colours, which show up with good effect on the snow. There are three trainos (sleighs) beautifully decorated, and each contains a bevy of laughing girls—altogether the scene is verv gay. Amidst the cheers of the crowd the procession marches to the Patinoire, around which the flags of the different countries are hanging on a line. After some speechmaking the Olympic Sports are formally declared to be open. The weather is clear and frosty, and everything points to good sport. For the next 12 days there is great excitement over the different events. The varied programme opens with skating events, and the first victory falls to the United States when Charles Jewtrap wins the 500 metres race in 44sec. _ The Americans are distinctly elated at gaining the first Olympic contest. At the end of the day Finland has the distinction of being at the head of the competing nations with a total of 20£ points in skating events. In the hockey matches the play is very swift and exciting. The British and American teams have a fierce struggle, and eventually the victory falls to the land of the Stars and Stripes. Later on in the programme, however, Britain scores oyer Belgium by 19 goals to 3. On the curling rink Britain beats France by 46 points to 4. All the sport is wonderfully skilled, but perhaps to the amateur eye the closing events of ski-jumping appear to be the most hair-raising. These jumps talcs place up on the mountain slopes, some distance from the town. Imagine anyone taking a leap on skis over a height of 200 ft and arriving at the bottom with hardly a pair disarranged! When the Olympic sports are brought to an end, out of the 12 competing countries Norway’s flag is at the head of the j>ole with 134 i points. Finland has 76i points to her credit, and Britain is third with 30 points. After 12 days of unusual excitement and stir an exodus of the visitors sets in, and Chamonix is left to settle down into its former atmosphere of tranquillity and calm.