The event is open to anyone who skis with any exoskeleton device – unsurprisingly, almost all participants in 2020 were using a Ski Mojo. You can read our report from that first event here.

Although competitive, these championships are all about participation and a coming together of the community. Everyone taking part shares the joy of additional skiing life that the Ski Mojo offers.

“It’s a great way of offering an extra ten years of skiing to seniors. They are the ones who pass on this passion to the younger generations and by enabling them to stay on the slopes for longer, this, in turn, encourages  younger people to join them,” said Gabriel Castelain, MD of Ski Mojo Europe.

Giant Slalom and Ski Trail 

Around fifty participants from France, Belgium, Britain and Australia are expected to take part. There will be two events: a giant slalom and an endurance ski trail across the Alpe d’Huez ski area.

The endurance trail will be marked by signposts on the slopes and each sign will count for a certain number of points depending on its level of difficulty to access. Skiers have to decide on the best strategy to accumulate as many points as possible.

EVENT SCHEDULE

09:30 – Giant Slalom at the ESF competition stadium

13:00 – Start of the Ski Trail

16.45 – Last ascent of the Signal lift to validate points

17.00 – Events of the official events

You can find out more about the championships here.

The event was created for skiers who are assisted with exoskeleton devices such as the Ski Mojo. Competitors had the chance to race in a professional giant slalom held next to where the French National Junior race team were practising on the same stade.

“An amazing buzz and energy…”

“It was an amazing well-organised event with more than fifty competitors, 98% of which were using Ski Mojo devices to ski with,” said Tirion.

“There was such an amazing buzz and energy around the whole weekend. Lots of people including myself had never done a ‘proper’ race before.”

The race was followed by a superb lunch at the Signal mountain restaurant in glorious sunshine. Then in the afternoon there was a treasure hunt around resort in teams two or three.

Prize giving was held in La Cabane restaurant, also on the mountain, with competitors transported up the mountain in a piste-basher before enjoying a fantastic raclette and fondue. Prizes included clothing from Natural Peak and Hey and Rip n Wood skis.

British and Australian winners

The men’s GS winner was former British Team skier Ashley Kay, with the women’s number one spot going to former Australian Winter Olympic skier, Marilla Guss.

Ashley is now an instructor in Les 3 Vallées and will be coming back to defend his title:

“It was great to be part of this competition, the first ever of its kind. I’m sure we will see it grow over the coming years and attract even more serious racers, without losing the fun and welcoming atmosphere that is inclusive to all levels.”

Ski Mojo founder Martin Hannaford finished 25^th in the male category, with Tirion finishing 4^th.

Please follow Ski Mojo on Facebook or Twitter to stay in touch and find out about next year’s event.