Garmin hits the slopes for the Varsity Ski Trip 2010

On 4-11 December, the Val Thorens resort in France played host to over 2,500 Oxbridge students taking part in two Garmin snow sport challenge events in excellent early-season snow conditions:

 
 
Garmin Downhill Challenge

Throughout the week, Varsity-goers were invited to borrow a Garmin Forerunner 310XT and charge down the slopes before registering their fastest time. These were displayed on the Garmin Leaderboard in the heart of "VarCity" for all to witness, sparking major après-ski debate. The overall fastest male and female skier and snowboarder each took home a brand new Garmin Forerunner 310XT multisport watch worth £300.

Chrispin Royal-Davies won the men’s ski challenge, clocking an impressive speed of 79.9 mph. The female winner was Sam Arden, who came in at 60.7 mph. In the snowboard event, Hannis Wittam raced in at 60.7 mph (all the more impressive as he broke his pelvis just six weeks ago) and Zuzanna Brzasko won the women’s division with a time of 48.7 mph.

Garmin Race to the Base

The ultimate speed test of the week came with the Garmin Race to the Base, which saw a Le Mans-style starting line, where racers flat-lined the course full-pelt all the way from the top of the mountain to the doors of the bar while trying to remain in one piece (fortunately, everyone did!).

 
 
Winners:

Men’s Ski: Tim Headley – Cambridge

Women’s Ski: Anna Schrade – Oxford

Men’s Snowboard: Vlad Paraoan – Cambridge

Women’s Snowboard: Lucy Thomas – Oxford

Good luck to all those heading to the slopes this season!