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.

This inaugural event will take place in Alpe d’Huez on 25-26 January 2020. It’s an open race, designed for skiers who are assisted with exoskeleton devices such as Ski Mojo, enabling users of all abilities able to race in different categories and try out your ‘mechanical doping’!

The founder and organiser of the event is Ophélie David, a former member of the French Alpine Ski Team.

Giant Slalom and Ski Trail events

You’ll be able to show off the power of the Ski Mojo in a Giant Slalom race and the additional endurance that it offers in a Ski Trail in the afternoon.

Points from both events will be combined to find the winners in each category – but it’s not just competition, this is a social event, where Ski Mojo users can gather and have fun.

On Sunday a Ski Mojo ‘rally’ (just like you can imagine with Harley Davidson riders) will take place!

Martin Hannaford, Managing Director of Ski Mojo, an official partner of the event, said:

“Ski Mojo users can’t enter official ski competitions, so the idea to create a special event, that is designed to be fun as well as competitive, for exoskeleton users, seems like a great idea. The resort of Alpe d’Huez is a perfect place to hold the event.”

The entrance fee is €90 per person, including entry to all races (lift pass not included), welcome drink on Friday evening, gala dinner meal and awards ceremony. Travel and accommodation must be booked independently.

Find out more about this event by going to their website.  Best of luck!