Focus on the trip to the Lofoten Islands :

Watch the TV report broadcasted on the evening news of TF1 « Heading for the Arctic Circle with a French skier »

With Leo Slemett and François Régis Thevenet alongside him, Aurélien went back to the Lofoten Islands looking for new lines. A careful study of the maps, a better locations thanks to prior expeditions and the joy to be the first to open corridors and faces in the wild part of the archipelago.

“The Lofoten Islands are wonderful places. I had the time to ski and appreciate the extraordinary reliefs while sailing and looking for good skiing locations. A very nice experience, because even when you have spotted the lines on the map, the difficulty is to land in good conditions: you have to compromise sometimes. But what is incredible is that these magical and wonderful places are accessible only by boat. There, my project “Latitude Neige – Longitude Mer” takes on its full meaning.”

By his side, Leo for his first out-of-competition trip and the guide François Régis, although they are unaccustomed to the sailing world, both have fully appreciated and shared these moments between sea and mountain. They both contributed to the success of this expedition in route choices and production of photographs and videos.

“At these latitudes, the weather con change significantly. In the morning when you wake up, it can snow large flakes, with a lot of wind. You should not wait for improvement to get under way; you have to take a chance… If at the summit the sunbeams appear, it’s a double reward! We’ve had this nice surprise several times, with the sea suddenly lighting up and a virgin corridor standing in front of us to the blue water.”

« Défi Latitude Neige Longitude Mer »  
with Luc Alphand and Eric Loizeau

Earlier last week, Aurelien was in Paris with Luc Alphand and Eric Loizeau to detail their future projects. He will line up at the start of double-handed and crewed races with these two mariners and mountaineers, including the Fasnet and the Transat Jacques Vabre 2013, the Barcelona World Race (round-the-world double-handed race) and the Jacques Vabre for the second time in 2015.

« I grew up with posters of Luc hung up in my room, throughout my career I kept following his, finding it more and more admirable. Today, Eric, Luc and I are sailing together… It’s great and fascinating.”

Last week, he met Bertrand Delesne(sailor in the Teamwork team and 4th in the Transat 6.50 in 2011), and the 65 Class Mini 6.5 boats in Sainte Catherine’s harbor in Locmiquélic for the Demi-Clé, double-handed 150 mile race towards Pornichet, which began on the 13th of April. After a third place in 2011 with David Sineau, Aurelien finished this year at the 6th place. A very good start for this new season!

« I’m going to focus on sailing and competing, I love the Mini class and I’m delighted Bertrand asked me to be his teammate on this very pleasant and tactical race.”

To follow…

After the Demi-Clé, Aurélien is now back at home, in Chamonix, to enjoy the exceptional conditions of this year to the end. It will also be the perfect occasion to capture plenty of beautiful images in the Mont-Blanc massif in this end of winter season. 

The goodbyes of Aurelien Ducroz to the FWT

after 10 years of competition

and 2 World Champion’s titles

Aurelien lined up at the start of the 18th edition of the Xtreme Verbier with an unusual coach, François Gabart. The Chamonix-born skier has the most victories of any rider at the Xtreme Verbier: in 2006, 2009 and 2011 (he also finished twice in second place). A stop considered the pinnacle of freeride competitions and a face that Aurelien particularly values for its technical nature and the level of commitment it requires. It was an original straight line with very big airs and at high speed, an amazing run. Unfortunately, surprised by a snow slide set off by a previous competitor who left only the frozen blue ice, Aurelien wasn’t able to brake where he wanted to. Due to the extra speed, he was unbalanced, a costly mistake on this unforgiving mountain where the incline can reach 50°.

Watch Aurélien’s run

It was a bitter disappointment for this fierce competitor who wanted to mark his departure with a victory and share it with the winner of the Vendée Globe 2013 who came especially to support him. However, it would appear that Aurelien hasn’t yet said his last word on the mythical face of the Bec des Rosses…

This season concludes ten years at the highest level on the Freeride World Tour, with no less than: 7 podiums in ten years with two titles of World Champion in 2009 and 2011, one title of Vice World Champion in 2005 and four 3^rd places in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2012. It’s time for Aurelien to move onto new projects which he has been preparing for a long time.

“These goodbyes to the Freeride World Tour are also an opportunity for me to thank you. You have been at my side in this wonderful adventure, the support all more precious as it continues today on the “Défi Latitude Neige – Longitude Mer” which is taking a new direction. To be World Champion was a crazy childhood dream that I achieved thanks to you. My future projects, including the Vendée Globe, are certainly also crazy, but the passion that leads me and that I’m sharing with you is a strength and a motivation that makes these projects possible.”

Aurélien andFrançois in front ofthe
Bec des Rosses inVerbier

Freeride films and ocean racing as new objectives

During this finale, Aurelien decided to announce that he will not take part in the FWT 2014. However, he will almost certainly line up again at the start of the Xtreme Verbier on this face of the Bec des Rosses which he likes so much. He is now going to devote himself to his freeride film projects that are going to be shot between Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Alaska and give priority to his skipper career with the major event this year: the Transat Jacques Vabre 2013 (double-handed), which will start in Le Havre on November 3^rd.

He also confirmed that his medium-term objective is the single-handed transatlantic Route du Rhum in 2014 and the Vendée Globe 2016: a round-the-worldsingle-handedyacht race, sailed non-stop and without assistance, i.e. 24 000 miles onboard a 60-foot monohull (IMOCA class).

« My calendar won’t be compatible with that of the Freeride World Tour any more, especially in terms of preparation. I will return in December from the Jacques Vabre transatlantic race therefore it will be impossible for me to be at the start of a World Cup event in January. The 6 stops of the world tour are linked together throughout the winter but I would like to devote more time to filming because I have great projects on that side as well. I’ve decided to stop, but as the desire is still as strong as ever, I do not rule out the possibility of lining up at the start of some stops if I’m in shape!

I’ve spent incredible moments on the tour; it’s not easy to turn the page, even if a wonderful challenge is waiting for me in sailing. I’m glad I have Luc and Eric by my side as teammates because I like their professionalism, their motivation and that we share the same goals. They will also provide valuable support for the preparation of single-handed races. My “sea and mountain” adventure continues with very, very nice projects”.

Expert view: SÉBASTIEN JOSSE
Skipper of the Gitana Team, took part in the Trophée Jules Verne, in the Volvo Ocean Race and in the Vendée Globe
« I’m not surprised that Aurelien succumbed to the call of the Vendée Globe. He loves the emotion, large spaces and human challenges… There are two ways of approaching this round-the-world race: the pure sports performance or the adventure. Aurelien is very realistic, his ambitions are too. He has all the qualities required to, within 4 years, manage a round-the-world single-handed race and all the excitement which comes with it.

He is determined, prudent and cautious; he anticipates and knows his limits well. He lacks hours of sailing, especially in the southern oceans, but he sets a plan accordingly, especially with a double-handed race around the world.

Many people in the field are going to help him in his project, myself included. Aurelien is a passionate person who gives himself the means to live what he feels inside. Nobody dictates his way, he follows the path he chooses and that’s a real pleasure.”

« Défi Latitude Neige Longitude Mer » 
with Luc Alphand and Eric Loizeau

In his four-year program named « Défi Latitude Neige – Longitude Mer », Aurelien will be joined by Luc Alphand and Eric Loizeau. With these “mountain sailors”, he will take part in double-handed and crewed races, including the Fasnet and the Transat Jacques Vabre 2013, the Barcelona World Race (round-the-world double-handed race). He will also be participating in the Jacques Vabre in 2015. The Sea & Mountain crew is currently trying hard to raise the partners and the funds required for this new adventure.

“With Aurelien, we share the same passion; have the same vision of the race and of the adventure. We are both aware that our experience is limited compared to other competitors but we are going to gain experience! For both of us, it is the right time and we are lucky to have Eric Loizeau by our side for this challenge. We are going to throw ourselves into the preparation of the double-handed and crewed races and support Aurelien in his single-handed program. It’s the beginning of a beautiful story.” Luc Alphand

2 shock teammates
Luc Alphand

·         Winner of the Alpine World Cup Overall title in 1997 and 3 times winner of the downhill Crystal Globe

·         3 times winner in Kitzbühel

·         Dakar Rally Winner

·         Sailor Crewman 60 foot DCNS - Transat Jacques VABRE

·         Crewman onboard the hydrofoil

Eric Loizeau

·         Winner of 2 legs of the yacht crewed round the world race

·         Solo Transatlantic recordman in 1982

·         Winner of the double-handed Transat Rouen - New York

·         Winner of the World multihull championship title in 1986

·         Everest « Summiter »

·         Adventurer

Follow Aurélien

Aurélien is flying to the Lofoten Islands today where shooting will be taking place until April, 9th.

From April 10th, he will meet Bertrand Delesne (sailor of the team Teamwork, he finished 4th in the Transat 6.50 in 2011), and the 65 boats Class Mini 6.50 in the Sainte Catherine’s harbour in Locmiquélic for the Demi-Clé, double-handed race of 150 miles towards Pornichet, which will start on Saturday, April 13th in the morning.

Then back to skiing in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc for a series of videos and photo shoots in the Massif until the end of April.

Watch the report on l'Equipe 21 again: "Gabart et Ducroz, a friendship between land and sea" filmed in Verbier
Watch the report on Sport 365 again: "Jerome Alonzo meets Aurélien Ducroz" filmed in Verbier