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2023 Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup in La Plagne
In an exciting collaboration with national and international Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federations, La Plagne is set to host the prestigious Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup from December 4 to December 10, 2023. The event will take place on the legendary Olympic Bobsleigh track, a marvel built for the Albertville Olympic Games in 1992 – and which will get used again in 2030 for the Winter Olympics.
La Plagne bobsleigh: a legendary venue
Globally, there are only 17 bobsleigh tracks used for international competitions,10 of which are in Europe, and the one in La Plagne stands as the sole resort in France boasting a dedicated bobsleigh track. But the La Plagne piste is quite unique in that it is also open for the public to ride during the winter season – and outside of World Cups and Olympics!
Read this article to find out more about how to ride the La Plagne bobsleigh.
The La Plagne bobsleigh track is renowned for its technical challenges. Athletes from across the globe are drawn to this iconic venue, eager to test their mettle on the very track that has witnessed Olympic triumphs.
To put the La Plagne bobsleigh piste into numbers:
- 1.5 km from top to bottom
- 19 bends
- 124.5m vertical descent
- 200m of deceleration track (you arrive pretty fast, after all!)
And in case you wondered, the speed record on the La Plagne bobsleigh track is 134 km/h or 83 miles p/h!!
A Week of Intense Competition
The week-long event from the 4th of December to the 10th of December 2023 promises intense competition and showcases the incredible skills of approximately 120 international athletes. The program unfolds as follows:
- Monday, December 4: SKELETON training
- Tuesday, December 5: BOBSLEIGH training
- Wednesday, December 6: SKELETON training
- Thursday, December 7: BOBSLEIGH training
- Friday, December 8: Skeleton competition (Women and Men)
- Saturday, December 9: Women's mono bob & 2-man bob competition
- Sunday, December 10: 2-woman bob & 4-man bob competition
Each day concludes with a grand award ceremony celebrating the exceptional achievements of the competitors. The awards ceremonies will be held at the top of the bobsleigh track, just below Plagne 1800.
A Global Gathering of Talent
La Plagne will host not only the competition week but also a week of official international training from November 27 to December 3, 2023. This extended period will see 120 young athletes from around the world converging on La Plagne to hone their skills and prepare for the ultimate showdown.
Lots of the teams are staying in our local La Plagne hotels. For example, the American bobsleigh team is staying at the Hotel Rhododendron in Plagne 1800.
Bobsleigh World Cup – where to watch?
For spectators, an experience awaits at the top of the track. A refreshment stand, a giant screen, and a platform offering an uninterrupted view of the starting line will be available. It's the perfect vantage point to witness the sheer speed and skill of the athletes as they navigate the challenging course.
You can head to the bottom of the bobsleigh piste in Plagne 1800, but for spectators, there is little to see from this finish point.
European Kick-Off
Marking the first event on the European calendar, the Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup in La Plagne promises a spectacular start to the season. The atmosphere is sure to be electric as fans and enthusiasts gather to witness the world's best athletes in action.
Free Access, Boundless Excitement
For those eager to be part of this sporting spectacle, entry is free of charge. However, spectators are kindly reminded to adhere to designated areas, as some sections are reserved for competitors.
My top tip would be to wrap up warm! It’s going to be cold, so lots of layers, solid boots, gloves, and hats are a must!
That’s La Plagne & the 2023 Bobsleigh World Cup in La Plagne
The excitement kicks off from Monday, December 4, to Sunday, December 10, 2023, with events scheduled between 9 am and 4 pm daily. Don't miss the chance to witness history in the making as La Plagne hosts the Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup. It's a celebration of athleticism, skill, and the enduring spirit of winter sports.
And as they say on the bobsleigh track:
“La Piste est Libre!”
