World Lithuanian Ski Summit L'Alpe d'Huez

January 3-10 2004 saw near 1000 Lithuanians decend on the tiny mountain village of L'Alpe d'Huez, high above Grenoble in the French Alps.

*I apologize for the quality of the images... I don't have a digital camera and had to rely on family and friends for photos! Unfortunately, there were lots of technical difficulties from not using the zoom to having a dirty lens, but we work with what we have, and if you don't bring a camera, you can't complain!*

This is why L'Alpe d'Huez is called L'ile au soleil (the island in the sun)! It's always above the clouds!

The view from our hotel... the ice skating rink and the race hill.

Le Sporting... the scene of more than one party this year!

Ahh... Tiger Cafe. A long time favorite where you can dance on the table... Mindaugas and Jenn know well about that!

The Virskai at the bar.

Joe really liked those giraffs!

Labas!

The morning of the GS. There were about 150 men, women and children competing this year in five age groups. At the first WLSS some 10 years ago there were only about 30 competitors.

Jason and Jenn listen to race instructions. #1 race rule... HAVE FUN!

Two of the race organizers with the Lithuanian flag flying on the race chalet.

Riding the poma to the start.

The mayor of L'Alpe d'Huez opend the race by skiing the Lithuanian flag down the course.

It's hard to tell... but this is my brother Jason's name listed as 2nd in GS!

Monika poses with some good looking racers... Paulius, Linas and Mirka!

The village of L'Alpe d'Huez welcomed the Lithuanians with hot wine after the GS.

After the race at Le Sporting. My dad gets to hang with some real Lithuanians.

Riding the tram to the top of Pic Blanc after SL training.

The mid-way station.

Jenn coming through the SL finished... I think whipped is the word.

L'Alpe d'Huez by night.

I get my 2 minutes on the top of the podium to recieve the gold in my age group for GS.

Monika rocks on.

The overall GS podium: Jenn, Angelica and Monika.

Jason stands on the top of the podium to recieve the gold medal in his age group for GS.

Jason recieves the overall GS silver medal.

The overall GS podium: Jason, Linas and Mindaugas.

Joe rocks out on the SL podium. He got 3rd in his age group and 8th overall! Way to go Joe! (I'm eighth, I'm eighth, I'm eighth!)

The overall SL podium: Mindaugas, Linas and Tomas.

That's one good lookin' podium! Nice boots Linnie!

2004 Overall Champions! Angelica and Linas.

The cool girls: Egle, me and Monika.

Mindaugas shows off silver!

Team Virskus

Look at all that hardware!

Yea!

Go girls! Jenn... have another glass of wine!

We look good in silver right?

Smile anyway Jenn, Paulius isn't paying attention!

Andrius might be able to look a little madder if he tried...

Linas gets all the girls!

The consolation picture. Is it a sign that I'm blurred out? Clean your lens Egle! Maybe one day I'll be able to step it up and we'll be champs together!

Can you believe this girl is 17? Neither could Jason but he went with it anyway... she's legal in Lithuania!

Big smiles from me and Kes.

Monika and Marius celebrating their medals.

Proud Papa.

Jason takes a minute to bond with mom.

Keep pouring girls!

I don't know who these people are but they're sure having fun!

Bring it on Monika!

Yea!

The girls.

2004 Chamonix World Cup

The French came out in style.

Joe makes his way to watch from the finish.

Jason takes a little time out.

Stan in the finish.

There was something so beautiful about the red and blue signs in the flat, damp light.

I watch Stan sign autographs for these little kids. They don't know who he is, all they see is the race suit!

The Virskai get their picture with the Czech champion. Stan never had so many fans!

Stan and Jenn re-create the 1995 Beaver Creek WC photo.

Yummm!!! Tartiflette reblochon!

Close up!

And the man in charge of the Tartiflette!

We get to see Bode stand on the podium!

Yummm... does it never end? Crepes for dessert!

Joe sums it up with... aaawwwwww......

 

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