The Grande Odyssée is not one dog sled race but four but first a bit of history. In 2007, a winter without snow, especially in the Haute-Savoie, the organisers had to face facts. Despite all their hopes it proved impossible to organize any legs in the Portes du Soleil. The head of the race, Henry Kam, organized a crisis meeting with all the communities affected to announce the bad news.
The mayor of Val Cenis-Lanslebourg didn't agree, "we've got plenty of snow here in the Haute-Maurienne, we expect you at the agreed date, the race is an opportunity for people to learn about the area, and the cross country and downhill ski areas". Henry Kam was delighted, he called around the mushers and all agreed bar one. A three day race would be held. The show must go on. There was no question of continuing with the name Grande Odyssée and so the Trophée Haute-Maurienne Vanoise was born. It now runs in parallel to the main event and every year attracts between 5 to 10 teams. With three shorter stages it gives an opportunity to younger, less experienced mushers and to people who don't have much free time to taste a stage race in stunning alpine scenery.
The Trophée had the Grande Odyssée have a spectacular massed start on the wide valley floor by the village of Bessans. The Trophée had 8 teams this year including 2 women, Sarah Audetat and the young Julie Travadon, daughter of Isabelle. It is a training run for Julie's dogs before they head to the Finnmarktsloppet 1000 race. Julie won the first stage.
Another event within an event the Trophée Grande Odyssée started in la Feclaz Grand Revard and finished in Val Cenis Lanslevillard including the tough bivouak at the Polar Base on col du Mont Cenis. The event was won by rookie Benoît Vérin who you will see arriving first over the line in our video of the Grand Revard stage (dogs with flashing red colars). Finally the Trophée UMES (Unité de Médecine de l’Elevage et du Sport) saw four competitors and was run in the Haute-Savoie between Samoëns and les Carroz over four stages and was won by Stéphane Lépine. So in total 35 mushers and their dog teams have taken part in the event.
Mondays race saw leader Jean-Philippe Pontier gain more time on his principal rivals. After the mass-start, a sort of Ben Hur, only on snow and with dogs Pontier completed the 86km stage ahead of on form Rémy Coste who was just 1 minute 26 seconds down on the leader. Radek Havrda again lost a dog, who had to be carried home on the sled and finished 26 minutes down. The route followed the valley passing by Bonneval Termignon (where there was a vetinary control) and Bramans. The stage didn't suit Daniel Juillaguet who changed the lead dog and layout of his team and they managed to get tied up in the confusion losing a number of minutes.
Pontier is now 48m26s ahead of Coste with the Czeck Havrda back in third place over an hour down. He has just 16 minutes on Juillaguet but pulled out 2 minutes on this stage. It is sure that Havrda has not given up hope of second and will defend his current position tooth and nail.
http://www.grandeodyssee.com/en/
