000 m height difference to their athletes to hair

Tomorrow, snowy space Savoie Mont-Blanc trails will resonate to the barking of 300 dogs bound for la Grande Odyssée. Twenty competitors - against 18 last year - and their pack of sled dogs are aligned to the heart of the area of the Portes du Soleil, in the resort of Avoriaz, at the start of what became the more mountainous test of this type of racing. Nearly 1,000 kilometres in ten steps await the "mushers" (sled drivers) Europeans, who will have to swallow 25.000 m height difference to their athletes to hair. "It is a true test of mountain, unique in its kind, with the passage of two passes to more than 2,000 m. is what attracts Europeans mushers. "Unfortunately, this is not a format suitable for North Americans, accustomed to the long distances on the dish", said Henry Kam, organizer and designer of this race.

100,000 spectators expected

For its sixth edition, the Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc brings together eleven nationalities and an eclectic plateau of specialists of these marathons of snow. "Over the years, the test has emerged among professional mushers." This year, I asked them if they accepted race premiums are reduced by 30, because the crisis deprived us of some sponsors. "I got a"Yes"unanimous", welcomed Henry Kam, who does not hide have had difficulties in completing its budget. This year, the Organization has a budget of EUR 1 million. "It is very, very fair", admits the pattern of the race.

Yet, the media coverage and popular success are to rendezvous with a little more scope each year. The latest edition has generated 600 articles, or 50 more than in 2008. "We expect more than 100,000 spectators on the ten days, approximately 10 more than in 2009", assures Vincent Rolland, General Counsel of Savoie and co-Chair of the Savoie Mont Blanc tourism association, welcomed the ambiance that creates this event through 25 crossed stations. "This is our largest operation event of the season." Even if it does not directly raise some nights, because January is hollow, it creates a hype around our space that indirectly generates stays.

Partner for the third year, the association for the promotion of tourism in Savoy should renew this partnership. The event is part of the factors which encouraged the installation of this new brand, launched in 2006 by the savoyards departments to manage joint tourism promotion.

In addition to its green side, the Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont-Blanc conveys an image of dynamism and freedom, because competitors venture into blank spaces while being respectful of nature. One aspect that has convinced Coca-Cola France to be official partner to support an operation launched in all the région Rhône-Alpes for the recycling of plastic bottles.

In the same spirit, the organizers are picky on respect for the welfare of dogs. A team of seven veterinarians sponsored for the fourth year by Merial, world leader in animal health, ensures the health of animals. Anti-doping controls, feet care, monitoring of the lameness... Animals with a problem are immediately put off course. "We recognize us completely in the values of commitment and performance of the great Odyssey," said Jean-Louis Crosia, President of Merial. "This event is located in our universe." It has helped mount a pedagogical project staff, said Corinne Demee, Director of communications. "Since the Conference in our premises of Isabelle Travadon, one of the mushers that we support a month ago, the company is mobilized around the event that created a great relationship between all the employees." Merial has already decided to renew its partnership in 2011.