2024-01-23 15:19:36
Pierre-Albert Vandel, president of the organization at the head of the Transjurassienne, showed himself “worried” regarding the holding of the 2024 edition of France’s largest cross-country ski race, on February 10 and 11. Two weeks before the event, the snow was expected and the Transjujeunes, on January 24, had to be moved to Prémanon (Jura).
Green grassy areas which do not bode well. 20 days before the start of the Transjurassienne 2024, scheduled for the weekend of February 10 and 11, no snow on the horizon in the towns of Rousses or Lamoura (Jura), emblematic stages of the biggest ski race bottom of the world, created in 1979. And if the snows of last week may have given rise to the hope of a Transju as beautiful as in 2022, the warm weather that arrived in recent days has melted the long-awaited white mountain.
If the Transju took place in 2024, cross-country skiers would take the new permanent route for the first time. • © © Latransju.com
Canceled in 2020 and 2021, shortened in 2023 due to a lack of snow, the race must now constantly adapt to fluctuations in the weather, with temperatures playing yo-yo… and with the nerves of the Transju organizers . “We have never experienced a situation like this” breathes Pierre-Albert Vandel, president of Trans’organization. “We are worried, even very worried, regarding this year. With the snow we have at the moment, the running possibilities don’t even exist“.
On the entire route, only part of the Massacre is snow-covered, as well as part of the Risoux, and part of Pré Poncet. It’s very restricted, very limited. If there is no snowfall expected in a few days, it might be complicated.
Pierre-Albert Vandel,
president of Trans’organization
Pierre Albert Vandel, director of Trans’Organisation • © France 3 Franche-Comté
A final decision should be made the Monday before the event, February 5. As a reminder, in November 2023, the race organization decided to set a single route for each edition. A novelty since its creation, the stages of the Transju were renewed every year and presented just a few days before the start of the event.
A small consolation, however, is that the 33rd edition of the Transjujeunes, the “junior” version of the Transjurassienne, will indeed take place on Wednesday January 24. But there too, with necessary adaptations given the climatic conditions. Farewell to the colleague from Rochat, in Les Rousses (Jura), below which the race was historically organized.
On Wednesday January 24, the young cross-country skiers will set off at the Tuffes Nordic stadium, in Prémanon (Jura), the only site able to accommodate 1,700 athletes, with sufficient quantity and quality of snow. “Of course, some adjustments had to be made, particularly regarding the accessibility of the site.” continues Pierre-Albert Vandel. “But everything should go well, with good weather.“. Young skiers will leave at 10 a.m. and will be able to compete on different courses ranging from 1 to 6 km, until 4 p.m.
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