In order to secure better training facilities in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, the British Snowboard Team has been in close discussions with the Swiss ski resort of Champéry – Les Portes du Soleil. Terms to the partnership which would establish the resort as the official training site for the Team are to be announced in the coming weeks.

Champéry, Switzerland – With the 2010 Winter Olympic Games clearly within sight, the British Snowboard Team have been holding close discussions with the Swiss ski resort of Champéry – Les Portes du Soleil. Accessibility, diversity of terrain, willingness to accommodate a national team and snow conditions were among the key decision-making factors for the partnership. After three months of preparations, the partnership terms are to be finalised and announced in the coming weeks.

Well appreciated and equally frequented by British skiers and snowboarders for generations, Champéry has remained small and unspoilt while still providing access to the world’s largest internationally connected ski domain - Les Portes du Soleil. Mark Simmers, CEO Snowsport GB said “Champéry is an excellent village for skiers and snowboarders alike and offers an ideal environment for aspiring athletes with the immense ski domain of the Portes du Soleil which offers a world-class infrastructure. Snowsport GB and the entire team are thrilled to be associated with Champéry and we look forward to finalising our partnership.”

Within 90 minutes of Geneva Airport, Champéry – Les Portes du Soleil straddles the Franco-Swiss border with 194 ski-lifts and 650 km of pistes as well as 9 snowparks, 3 half-pipes and 4 boardercoss courses. Eric Belanger, Director of the Champéry Tourism, is equally pleased. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to be associated with the British Snowboard Team. In addition to sharing their realistic goal for a podium finish at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, we also share their interest in developing snow sports in the important UK market. While it makes marketing sense, it’s equally exciting to be involved, even indirectly, with the Winter Olympics and youth development in snow sports.”

While terms of agreement are yet to be disclosed, it is intended that members of the Snowboard Team reside in Champéry during the winter season when they are not travelling to competitions. Currently ranked 6th in the women’s world boardercross standings, Zoe Gillings could become the UK’s first ever Winter Olympic Games medallist in skiing and snowboarding. While there is still much to do prior to the 2010 games, both partners are committed towards a podium finish.