Interneige 1968
Winter Jeux Sans Frontières

Entrants Winter 1968:
Switzerland (CH) • France (F)

Presenters / Commentators of International Competitions:
Claude Evelyne and Georges Kleinmann (SSR-SRG - CH)
Simone Garnier and Guy Lux (ORTF - F)

International Referees:
Gennaro Olivieri
Guido Pancaldi
Cesare Vampa

Production Credits:

National Producers: Paul Siegrist (CH), Jean-Louis Marest and Claude Savarit (F); National Directors: Paul Siegrist (CH), Roger Pradines (F)

Produced by:
SSR (CH) and ORTF (F)

F

Interneige 1968

Heat 1

Event Staged: Sunday 14th January 1968
Venue: Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes), Les Gets, France

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
SSR (CH): Sunday 14th January 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)
ORTF (F): Sunday 14th January 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)

Weather Conditions:
Heavy Snow and Very Cold

Playing Surface:
Snow

Teams: Les Diablerets (CH) v. Les Gets (F)

Team Members included:
Les Diablerets (CH) - Rene Moignent;
Les Gets (F) - Ronnie Burton, Daniel Courter, Raymond Partière

Games: King Arthur and his Courtiers, Broom Ballet, The Winter Gardeners, All His Bones, The Masters of the Bar, The High Ball (Jeu Divisée), Game of Questions / Parallel Slalom - The Crescendo.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

Final Scoreboard

1st
2nd

F • Les Gets ●
CH • Les Diablerets

12
9

The Host Town and Venue

Les Gets, France

Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes)

Les Gets is a village with a permanent population of just over 1,000 inhabitants in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It is located 27km (17 miles) south of Évian-les-Bains, 34km (21 miles) north of Megève and 42km (26 miles) east of Genève (Switzerland) at an altitude of between 900m and 1,820m (2,952ft and 5,971ft).

Les Gets is a multi-purpose resort which is open throughout the year and during the winter months, the resort consists mainly of blue (beginners) and red (intermediate) runs. In addition to the area known as The Bowl into which numerous ski runs and chairlifts feed, the resort also offers the most easily accessible black (difficult) runs including Yeti, which is accessed by the resort’s slowest chairlift, La Rosta. There is an open-air ice rink in the centre of the village specially constructed each year during the winter season.

The village itself has many restaurants ranging from the family-friendly and reasonably priced to fairly top-end, all specialising in the local Savoyard cuisine, such as tartiflette, a dish of potatoes ‘au gratin’ with Reblochon cheese and lardons. There are also numerous pubs and bars serving a traditional liqueur called génépi, similar in make-up to absinthe, which is often drunk as a digestif although the exact constituents vary as many of the locals produce their own!

During the summer months there are all kinds of evening activities in the centre, ranging from discotheques to the weekly Monday night Pot de Bienvenue (a welcome drink) which is provided for by the local businesses to welcome visitors to the town. Live bands regularly perform on the semi-permanent stage in the centre of the village, attracting both locals and tourists. A lot of emphasis is also given to children’s entertainment, with street performers, carousels and wooden games set out in the street being regular attractions and there are also weekly treasure hunts around the village. Also in the village is the Museum of Mechanical Music which hosts a bi-annual festival. It has been running for over 25 years and during this period all the streets are closed off and barrel-organs or orgues fill the streets with mechanical music, with many of the organ grinders coming from Germany and the Netherlands.

The Visiting Town

Les Diablerets is a ski resort and village with population of around 650 inhabitants in the francophonic (French-speaking) Swiss canton of Vaud and is located 44km (27 miles) north-east of Les Gets.

The Games in Detail

Game 1 - King Arthur and his Courtiers
(Le Roi Arthur et sa Suite)

The first game - ‘King Arthur and his Courtiers’ (Le Roi Arthur et sa Suite) - was played in unison over four rounds and featured a total of nine male competitors from each team. It was a simple but somewhat dangerous game that required the teams to descend the slope using four entirely different methods and modes of transport. The team with the greater aggregate score would be declared the winners.

The first round featured a competitor dressed as King Arthur sitting on a throne which had been mounted on a pair of skis. On the countdown, the throne would be released and the competitor had to guide it down the slope by means of a rudder and brake. France descended the slope without mishap in 24 seconds and were followed across the finish line by Switzerland in 32 seconds. France had taken victory and were leading by 1-0.

The second round featured five competitors armed with a large litter. Whilst four of the competitors were dressed as chevaliers, the fifth was dressed as King Arthur in sleeping attire and lying down on the litter. On the countdown, the chevaliers had to descend the slope whilst keeping the litter aloft. The teams began descending the slope but after just four seconds of elapsed time, and having only travelled a few metres, France tumbled to the ground. Switzerland suffered the same fate after nine seconds and resulted in both teams now lying in the snow. The wintry conditions severely hampered the teams’ efforts to recompose themselves but after a short time, Switzerland had got back on their feet and completed the course first in 1 minute 20 seconds. Although France descended the slope with the litter and crossed the finish line in 1 minute 31 seconds, their run was nullified due to the fact that only one chevalier crossed the line with the litter being dragged on the ground behind him. Switzerland had levelled the scores at 1-1.

The third and penultimate round featured two competitors dressed as knights sitting at a table mounted on skis. As was the case with the first round, the table had to be guided down the slope by means of rudders. The run was completed without mishap by both teams with France crossing the finish line in 39 seconds ahead of Switzerland, who completed the game in 42 seconds. France had claimed their second victory and were now leading by 2-1.

The fourth and final round was a little more daring than the previous three and featured the final competitor dressed as Sir Lancelot standing with his back to the slope whilst standing on forward facing skis. On the countdown, the competitor had to simply descend the slope facing backwards. Surprisingly, both competitors completed the course without mishap but France had the slight edge overall and crossed the line in 21 seconds followed by Switzerland in 23 seconds. France had won the game by an aggregate score of 3-1.

Jeu Divisée, Round 1 - The High Ball
(La Balle Haute)

The next game - ‘The High Ball’ (La Balle Haute) - was the Jeu Divisée which was was very simple in design and featured up to two male competitors from each team. It comprised a small ski slope with an ascending ramp at its base, above which was hanging a ball from a wire. On the countdown, the competitor had to descend the slope and as he ascended the ramp and passed over the top, he had to head-butt the ball. Each team had two attempts at each height - the second only needed if the team were unsuccessful on their first attempt. The team winning the greater number of rounds would be declared the winners.

The first round saw the ball hanging from a height of 4m (13ft 1in) and France achieved their goal on the first attempt, whilst it took Switzerland two attempts to emulate their rivals.

Game 2 - Broom Ballet
(Balai-Ballet)

The second game - ‘Broom Ballet’ (Balai-Ballet) - was played individually over two heats and featured a male competitor from each team dressed as a backpacker with two ‘brooms’ attached to his backpack. On the countdown, the competitor had to descend the slope using a zigzag slalom course and en route had to knock down 21 large blocks with his skis or brooms and cause them to tumble from their upright position. A penalty of one second would be incurred for each block that was not knocked down in the prescribed manner. The team completing the course in the faster overall time would be declared the winners.

The first heat saw the participation of Switzerland and they completed the course in exactly 29 seconds. However the eighteenth block, although touched by the backpacker, did not fall to the ground and he therefore incurred a penalty of 1 second, bringing the total time to 30 seconds. The second heat featured France and they completed the course without penalty in 27.5 seconds.

Jeu Divisée, Round 2 - The High Ball
(La Balle Haute)

The second round of the Jeu Divisée saw the ball raised to 4.5m (14ft 9in), despite Guy Lux incorrectly stating that it was at 4m (13ft 1in), and both teams were successful on their first attempts.

Game 3 - The Winter Gardeners
(Les Jardiniers des Neige)

The third game - ‘The Winter Gardeners’ (Les Jardiniers des Neige) - was played in unison over five extraordinary rounds and featured a total of seven male competitors from each team descending the slope in different manners.

The first round featured two competitors in the classic children’s ‘wheelbarrow’ position, with one standing on skis whilst supporting the legs of the other, who was facedown holding onto a static wheel which had been mounted on a single ski. On the countdown, it was a simple race down the slope in this position. Switzerland took an early lead but tumbled on their way down the course, which gave France the chance to close the deficit and overtake them. In a strange twist of fate however, France also tumbled at the exact same spot, and it was now a matter as to which team could be the first to recompose itself. Switzerland appeared to take a considerable amount of time to do this and it permitted France, who were incredibly fast, to descend the course in 24 seconds and win the round. France were leading 1-0 on the game.

The second round featured a competitor dressed as a gardener and holding a semi-deflated balloon. On the countdown, he had to descend the slope whilst stamping one of his feet. The reason for this soon became apparent, as the foot was attached to a rope which in turn was attached to a set of fire bellows mounted on his back. The bellows were connected to a plastic tube which was attached to the balloon, and the constant stamping caused air to be blown into the balloon as he descended. At the bottom of the course, the balloon was measured and whichever team’s balloon had the greater diameter would be declared the winners. France appeared to descend the course very quickly and crossed the line in 26 seconds with Switzerland crossing the line in 32 seconds. When the balloons were measured, France had achieved a diameter of 23cm (9in) whilst Switzerland could only achieve a 19cm (7½in) diameter. With a second victory, France were now leading 2-0 on the game.

The third round featured a competitor on skis with a large plant pot set on skis in front of him. Inside the pot was a male team-mate dressed as a large flower and it was straight race down the course to the finish line. On the countdown both teams set off, but almost immediately Switzerland tumbled into the snow whilst their opposition sped down the course. Despite the fact that France also tumbled on their way down the course, they were able to recompose themselves very quickly and went on to win the third round in 36 seconds and also the game overall. They now had an unassailable lead of 3-0 on the game with just two rounds to play.

Despite the game having already been decided, it was played to a finish with the fourth and penultimate round featuring a competitor on skis and dressed in a tree trunk costume. On the countdown, the competitor had to ski down the course with his arms spread out in the branches and without the aid of ski poles. France, not to be outdone, did not sit on their laurels and they won the fourth round in 17 seconds, one second ahead of Switzerland, and were now leading 4-0 on the game.

The fifth and final round featured the final two competitors and would prove to be even more extraordinary than the previous four. It began with the competitors descending the slope to a given point. On reaching this marker, one of them had to stand upside-down with legs akimbo on his team-mate’s skis, whilst being held around the waist. They then had to descend further down the slope in this position to a second given point. They then had to stop and get into position in order to hold onto each other’s skis and roll down the remainder of the slope in a caterpillar track motion. Although both teams descended the course without serious problem, France were once again victorious and crossed the finish line in 58 seconds. France were declared as having won the game 5-0 overall.

Jeu Divisée, Round 3 - The High Ball
(La Balle Haute)

The third round of the Jeu Divisée saw the ball raised to 5m (16ft 4½in). Again, Guy Lux stated the incorrect height as being 4.5m (14ft 9in), but was corrected by Gennaro Olivieri after both of the first competitors from each team had failed to hit the ball. Guy Lux realising his mistake stated that Gennaro was indeed correct, as the ball had been raised by 50cm (1ft 7½in) each round so far. With both of the teams’ second competitors also missing their target, the round was declared a draw.

Game 4 - All His Bones
(Chacun son Os)

The fourth and penultimate game - ‘All His Bones’ (Chacun son Os) - was played over two rounds and was a tug-o-war type game and featured two male competitors from each team. Each of the competitors was dressed as a dog and was tied together around the waist to an opposing competitor by a long leash. On the countdown, the two descended a course which was lined on both sides with 10 large bones, and then each of them had to try and knock down as many of the bones on his side, whilst the other tried to prevent him from doing so whilst attempting to do the same on the his side. The team with the greater number of bones knocked down would be declared the winners.

The first round witnessed the competitor from France bring his rival from Switzerland to the ground and was able to knock down four bones before his opposition had a chance to get back to his feet and make a challenge. Despite all his efforts, in which he was able to knock down two bones himself, the Swiss competitor could not prevent his rival from winning the round 4-2.

In the second round the competitors swapped sides of the course for parity, but it was to no avail, as the competitor from Switzerland was not as agile or adept as his rival and permitted him to knock down a further 5 bones whilst he could only emulate his team-mate’s score of 2 from the first round. The aggregate scores over the two rounds were France 9 and Switzerland 4.

Jeu Divisée, Round 4 - The High Ball
(La Balle Haute)

The programme returned to the Jeu Divisée for the fourth and penultimate round with the height of the ball remaining at 5m (16ft 4½in). Just as had been the case in the previous round, neither of the team’s two competitors could reach the ball and once again the round ended in a draw.

Game 5 - Masters of the Bar
(Les Maitres du Barreau)

The fifth and final game - ‘Masters of the Bar’ (Les Maitres du Barreau) - was played individually and featured four male competitors from each team carrying a large wooden ladder on their shoulders with their heads poking through the rungs throughout its length. On the countdown, the team had to descend the slope negotiating a course of small gates and a section of crests and troughs (which was quite balletic to watch). The final section of the course required the team to get into a horizontal line and pass though four lanes separately. The team to finish the course in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat saw the participation of France and they completed the course without mishap in 35.4 seconds. The second heat featured Switzerland, who were determined to win this game and add a little respectability back to their score, and they also finished the course without mishap but in a faster time of 33 seconds.

Jeu Divisée, Round 5 - The High Ball
(La Balle Haute)

The fifth and final round of the Jeu Divisée was played with the ball remaining at the same height as the previous two rounds. Just as had been the case in those rounds, neither of the team’s two competitors could reach the ball and once again the round ended in a draw.

Game of Questions / Parallel Slalom – The Crescendo
(Le Crescendo)

The format for this year’s ‘academic’ round was very different to that of any previous Interneige programmes, and one that would be repeated somewhat for the 1976 series when the competition was revived. The team that were deemed to play first were given the opportunity to select an envelope, A or B. Inside each envelope there were five questions with an ascending points value of 1-5. The first question required just one answer and it would score 1pt, the second required two answers (2pts), the third required three answers (3pts) etc. The ‘intellectuals’ had 30 seconds to answer each question and if they gave a correct response, they would be awarded the points value of that particular question. However, in order to secure these points, a team-mate had to compete in a ski slalom race against the opposition and win it. If the skier lost the race, the points awarded in that round would be nullified. Each team could therefore attain a maximum of 15pts (1pt + 2pts + 3pts + 4pts + 5pts) if all questions were answered correctly and all five runs of the slalom were to be won. However, with the ski-slalom ultimately deciding the outcome of the round, a team could find itself answering all the five questions correctly and then lose all the slaloms and score 0pts. If the question was answered incorrectly in the first place, then the slalom did not take place for that particular round and the next question was set. All five questions were answered consecutively by one team before the second team participated.

The team that was trailing at this point were deemed to play first, and in this case it was Switzerland. However, despite their ‘intellectuals’ giving correct responses to all five questions, the points attained in rounds 2, 3 and 4 were nullified following France winning those ski slalom races.

With the scores level, France needed to secure just 1pt from the five rounds to win the competition. Within the first minute of their participation they achieved this when the 1pt question was answered correctly and their skier won the slalom. Not sitting on their laurels, they also scored 2pts from the second question and although they answered the third and fourth questions correctly, they were disappointed when Switzerland were victorious in the ski slaloms. Despite answering the fifth question incorrectly, Guy Lux insisted that the ski slalom be run.

Presenters, Officials and Production Team

Suitably clad for the weather conditions, presenters Guy Lux and Georges Kleinmann were stationed at the base of the slopes whilst co-presenters Simone Garnier and Claude Evelyne commentated from the top.

Running Winter Final Qualifiers:

Switzerland (CH) - Les Diablerets -3pts difference
France (F) - Les Gets +3pts difference

Made in B/W • This programme exists in European Archives

CH

Interneige 1968

Heat 2

Event Staged: Sunday 21st January 1968
Venue: Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes), Moléson-Village, Switzerland

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
SSR (CH): Sunday 21st January 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)
ORTF (F): Sunday 21st January 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)

Weather Conditions:
Unknown

Playing Surface:
Snow

Teams: Moléson-Village (CH) v. Le Corbier (F)

Team Members included:
Le Corbier (F) - Jean Bertay, Jean-François Dieper, Charlie Esalter.

Games: The Drunkard and the Shrew, Rugby in the Snow, The Slippery Tables, The Downhill Obstacle Course (Jeu Divisée), The Candles, Snow Scooter Obstacle Course, Game of Questions / Parallel Slalom - The Crescendo.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

1st
2nd

The Host Town and Venue

Moléson-Village, Switzerland

Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes)

Moléson-Village (officially known as Moléson-sur-Gruyères) is a village with a permanent population of around 800 inhabitants in the francophonic (French-speaking) canton of Fribourg. It is located at an altitude of 1,132m (3,714ft) above sea level, 8km (5 miles) south of Bulle, 16km (10 miles) north-west of Montreux, 29km (18 miles) east of Lausanne and 55km (34 miles) south-west of Bern.

Moléson-Village came from the fertile imagination of some Fribourgeois residents who were ready to combine economic development with tourism. The utopian project of the 1960s to build an ideal village was dissolved in murky waters of controversy and financial difficulties and it was not until 1978 that it was fully realised, but in a very distant form to that what was originally planned.

The story of this epic is as much to do with tourism (the dream of a resort) as architectural (more than 150 plans were submitted with the majority unrealised) and economical (more than 20 million Swiss Francs invested). Robert Boschung, the owner / proprietor of the Vieux Chalet Crésuz, had a dream of a restaurant at the top of Le Moléson connected by a cable car. He gathered around him a few personalities and businessmen from Fribourg who were excited by the idea of the cantonal tourism development. In November 1959, the initiative committee filed a first license application to the federal Department of Posts and Railways for a cable car from Pringy to Plan-Francey with an intermediate station at La Chaux and a cable car from Plan-Francey to the top of Moléson.

The Grand Council accepted the Fribourgeois plans and, in May 1961, the motion was passed by Gruyère councillor Pierre Morard and 60 other signatories. It called for the construction of a main road connecting Pringy to La Chaux. Four kilometres (2½ miles) long with a width of six metres (19ft 8¼in) and a maximum gradient of 10%, it was given a budget of around 7 million Swiss Francs (approx. £574,000), 3 million of which was to build the future station. Work began in March 1962 and ended in July 1963. A concession already granted to the municipality of Enney forced developers to build a gondola, known today as ‘The Can’, linking La Chaux to La Vudalla with two lifts completing the plans. The three stations and the intermediate station were assigned to the Lausanne architect, Marc Wuarin, and would have inclined concrete bases, wooden walls and multi-layered roofs. The lifts began operation in December 1963 with the exception of the section from Plan-Francey to Moléson, which opened the following winter. William Dunkel, a prominent Zurich architect and retired teacher, trained in the school of the German Bauhaus, was given the task of the future holiday development planning on the slopes of Moléson.

In 1978, following years of wrangling between the owners, locals and councillors, Valais-born brothers, Bernard and Philippe Micheloud, bought the 14,496m² (156,033ft²) of land and ensured the survival of the resort. In the process, they built 14 chalets and gradually took over the running of the station. In 1983, they centralised the ski lifts, restaurants, office administration and management of chalets and apartments. In five years, they had managed to do what had been expected in the previous twenty years to build fifty chalets, a village with three apartment buildings and shops and a sports centre.

In 1988, the resort boasted 1,200 beds in chalets and apartments of the 3,500 planned. Since then Moléson has faced the economic crisis, and has had to adapt to utilising the summer months with development of an astronomical observatory and traditional cheese-making in old chalets, as well as providing various summer sports.

The Visiting Town

Le Corbier is a ski resort and village with a population of around 500 inhabitants in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and is located 159km (99 miles) south-west of Moléson-Village.

Running Winter Final Qualifiers:

Switzerland (CH) - Les Diablerets -3pts difference
France (F) - Le Corbier +8pts difference

Made in B/W • This programme may exist in European Archives

F

Interneige 1968

Heat 3

Event Staged: Sunday 28th January 1968
Venue: Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes), La Clusaz, France

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
SSR (CH): Sunday 28th January 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)
ORTF (F): Sunday 28th January 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)

Weather Conditions:
Unknown

Playing Surface:
Snow

Teams: Anzère (CH) v. La Clusaz (F)

Team Members included:
Anzère (CH) - Gionardi Canashe, Jean-Jacques Debonne.

Games: Asterix the Gaul v. William Tell, The Pastry Makers, Trampoline Basketball, Jumping the Cottage, Downhill Bob-Ski, Unattached Skiing, Game of Questions / Parallel Slalom - The Crescendo.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

1st
2nd

The Host Town and Venue

La Clusaz, France

Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes)

La Clusaz is a village and ski resort with a permanent population of 1,783 inhabitants in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It is located 22km (14 miles) east of Annecy, 26km (16 miles) north of Albertville, 34km (21 miles) west of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and 53km (33 miles) south of Thonon-les-Bains.

The name Clusaz derives from the word cluse (meaning narrow path between mountains) and was once called Cusa Locus Dei or God’s narrow place. It was not until the opening of the road connecting Annecy with the Aravis valley that this once remote village became a tourist centre for summer and winter sports.

It is has been hosting winter sports since 1907, but the resort’s first cable car was not introduced until 1956, with the first luge being installed in 1985 and the first snow cannon in 1994. The main draw of La Clusaz is skiing during the winter season and each year the resort hosts the Candide Invitational, a ski contest / demonstration on La Balme mountain. It is organised by skier, Candide Thovex and consists of a number of top international skiers.

Shopping in La Clusaz is much like other small alpine villages - centred around local shops specialising in either local delicacies such as cheese, meats and wines, or ski shops.

The Visiting Town

Anzère is a ski resort and village with a population of around 600 inhabitants in the francophonic / teutophonic (French / German-speaking) Swiss canton of Valais and is located 88km (55 miles) north-east of La Clusaz.

Running Winter Final Qualifiers:

Switzerland (CH) - Anzère +5pts difference
France (F) - Le Corbier +8pts difference

Made in B/W • This programme may exist in European Archives

CH

Interneige 1968

Heat 4

Event Staged: Sunday 4th February 1968
Venue: Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes), Leysin, Switzerland

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
SSR (CH): Sunday 4th February 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)
ORTF (F): Sunday 4th February 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)

Weather Conditions:
Cold and Overcast

Playing Surface:
Snow

Teams: Leysin (CH) v. Serre-Chevalier (F)

Team Members included:
Leysin (CH) - Guy Asellie, Gilbert Augerre, Jean-Luc Bourdain, Eric Eftille, Cristian Morpant, Eric Vertnier;
Serre-Chevalier (F) - Leon Deliere, Jean-Marc Dodinere, Jean-Louis Jouliere.

Games: Great Escapes, Ski-Jumping, Carnival of Animals, The Frogman's Air Tank, The Exploding Toboggan, The Fire-Fighters, Game of Questions / Parallel Slalom - The Crescendo.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

Final Scoreboard

1st
2nd

The Host Town and Venue

Leysin, Switzerland

Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes)

Leysin is a town and ski resort with a permanent population of around 4,300 inhabitants in the francophonic (French-speaking) canton of Vaud. It is located at an altitude of 1,260m (4,134ft), 11km (7 miles) east of Torgon, 13km (8 miles) south-east of Montreux, 27km (17 miles) north of Martigny and 30km (19 miles) north-east of Sion.

In the early part of the 19th century, the village was better known for its sanatoriums that dealt with tuberculosis. Today, its spectacular Alpine views across the Rhône Valley towards the Dents du Midi invite year-round mountain sports and recreation. Leysin can be accessed easily by road or by the hourly Aigle - Leysin train service, which makes four area stops.

The village and its neighbouring hamlet of Veyges are designated as part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites, a 1981 Ordinance of the Swiss Federal Council implementing the Federal Law on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage.

The majority of the population (56%) speaks French, with English being second most common (11%), German (3.5%) being third and Italian (1.2%) being fourth. In the most recent census, it was found that just 1 person spoke the ever-decreasing Romansch language!

The Visiting Town

Serre-Chevalier is a ski resort with a population of around 400 inhabitants in the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and is located 159km (99 miles) south-west of Leysin.

The Games in Detail

Introduction

The programme opened with a local brass band descending the ski slopes on wooden sleighs whilst co-presenters discussed the current teams qualifying for the Interneige Final - Anzère from Switzerland and Le Corbier from France. Although the weather conditions appeared clear and bright at the start of the programme, the viewing conditions from the bottom were hampered by heavy mist from the mountains above, and at certain times during the transmission, television pictures were completely obliterated by the mist.

Game 1 - Famous Escapes
(Évasions Célèbres)

The first game - ‘Famous Escapes’ (Évasions Célèbres) - was played over five rounds by a total of seventeen male competitors from each team, with each round featuring a different ‘escape route’ by prisoners or criminals in history and fiction (see highlighted box below for further details). The winning team of each round would be awarded 1pt. The team with the greater aggregate score would be declared the winners.

The first round, entitled ‘The Man in the Iron Mask’ (L’Homme au Masque de Fer), was played in unison and featured three competitors, two dressed in a pantomime horse costume and the third wearing a black cloth to mask his face, mounted on its back. On the countdown, it was a straight race down the slope and saw France tumble to the ground after about 30m (100ft) which permitted Switzerland, who had already been ahead, to complete the course without worry. However, due to the earlier heavy snowfall, the slopes had become very fast and despite having won the round, the team descended at such a speed, that they tumbled heavily when they hit the untouched fresh snow at the bottom of the course. With a victory to their credit, Switzerland were leading by 1-0.

The second round, entitled ‘The Two Orphans’ (Les Deux Orphelins), was played in unison and featured two competitors connected by a cord. On the countdown, the competitors had to descend the course backwards whilst keeping a grasp on the cord. Whilst Switzerland took an early lead and created a large distance between themselves and France, they unfortunately became victims of their own success, and got too close to each other and tumbled to the ground, just a few metres from the finish line. This permitted France to speed past them and win the second round. The teams were now level at 1-1.

The third round, entitled ‘The King’s Rescue’ (Le Sauvetage du Roi), was played individually and featured three competitors in a scaled down rocket-fuelled jet mounted on skis. On the countdown, it was a straight descent down the course aboard the jet. With the weather conditions beginning to deteriorate and heavy mist descending, part of the game became obscured from view. However despite this, the first run saw the participation of France and they crossed the finish line in 15.8 seconds. The second run featured Switzerland and they completed the course in a faster time of 14.5 seconds. With their second victory, Switzerland were now leading by 2-1.

The fourth and penultimate round, entitled ‘The Four Daltons’ (Le Quatre Daltons), was played in unison and featured four competitors dressed as outlaws standing behind each other with a large rectangular wooden box (representing the torso of a horse) around their waists. Attached to the front of the box was a theatrical horse’s head. On the countdown, it was a straight descent down the slope with Switzerland crossing the finish line first in just under 12 seconds. Although France had suffered problems during their descent, they finally crossed the line albeit with just three of the team inside the box. Following their third victory, Switzerland now had an unassailable lead of 3-1.

The fifth and final round was played in unison and was based on the life of French criminal Eugene François Vidocq and featured five competitors dressed as chain-gang members on skis. On the countdown, it was again a straight descent down the slope. Despite its simplicity, it was a very close run race with both teams crossing the line together. Referee Gennaro Olivieri then explained that France were declared the winners of the round as their fifth competitor had crossed the line ahead of final competitor from Switzerland. Although they had been awarded the victory, France had been unable to alter the overall outcome and Switzerland had won the game by 3-2.

Game 2 - Ski-Jumping
(Saut à Ski)

The second game - ‘Ski-Jumping’ (Saut à Ski) - was played in unison over four rounds and featured four male competitors from each team. On the countdown, the competitor had to descend the slope negotiating several ski gates in addition to small jumps which had to be utilised to clear lengths of bunting stretched between poles. The height of the bunting was raised by 10cm (4in) after each round. The team with the greater aggregate score would be declared the winners.

The first round saw the participation of Switzerland which saw them go off-course and miss one of the gates and ultimately have their run nullified. With France completing the descent without incident, they won the round and were leading by 1-0.

The second round saw the teams swap lanes for parity, and this time it was France that made an error and permitted Switzerland to win the round and level the scores at 1-1.

The third and penultimate round saw the teams start in their original lanes. France descended the slope without mishap and crossed the finish line ahead of Switzerland. France were now leading by 2-1.

The fourth and final round saw the teams swap lanes and passed without mishap. With Switzerland finishing the course a few metres ahead of France, they were awarded the point. The game ended in a draw with the scores level at 2-2.

Game 3 - Carnival of the Animals
(Carnaval des Animaux)

The third game - ‘Carnival of the Animals’ (Carnaval des Animaux) - was played over three rounds and featured a total of eight competitors (seven males and one female) from each team dressed in various animal costumes descending the slope. The team with the greater aggregate score would be declared the winners.

The first round featured a female competitor from each team dressed in a frog costume. At the start of the game, the competitor from France was not attentive and missed the countdown completely, which permitted Switzerland to get a commanding lead from the start. However, this error would not make much difference to the outcome as France tumbled to the ground after just 11 seconds of elapsed time. Although their competitor recomposed herself, it was a lost cause as Switzerland had already reached the end of the course by this point and crossed the finish line in 20 seconds, eventually followed by France in 29 seconds. With the first victory, Switzerland were leading by 1-0.

The second and penultimate round featured six male competitors dressed in a Chinese dragon-style costume descending the slope. Whilst both teams met with difficulty and lost competitors on their downward journey, Switzerland crossed the finish line with only four competitors in the costume. Referee Gennaro Olivieri stated that the game was not finished until the last competitor (the sixth) from each team crossed the line. At this point, the remaining two Swiss competitors had got to their feet and completed the course, whilst France were still halfway up the slope. Despite having lost the round (and the game), France recomposed themselves, albeit in a somewhat unorthodox fashion, and crossed the line with their sixth competitor being dragged behind the costume, face-down in the snow! Switzerland were now in an unassailable position, leading on the game by 2-0.

The third and final round featured a male competitor inside a giant elephant costume being pulled and steered by two of his team-mates. Despite the result of the game having already been determined, the round ended with a very funny and unexpected conclusion. On the countdown, both the teams descended the slope, but as they picked up speed it caused the elephant from France to tumble to the ground. Switzerland, attempting to avoid the fallen animal, crashed into an igloo (part of the next game) and then into a Serre-Chevalier supporter’s placard, knocking it to the ground. Contemporaneously, France attempted to get back on their feet, but tumbled even further down, moving themselves closer to Switzerland and blocking their path. Both teams struggled to free themselves, but it was Switzerland that cleared the blockage and continued down the slope. As they approached the finish line, a supporter in the crowd hurled an inflatable raft into their path. However, this did not hinder the team, and was in fact seen by the presenters as somewhat hilarious and within the spirit of the game. Switzerland completed the game in 1 minute 14 seconds and had won the game by 3-0.

Delay

Following the events of the previous game, there was a short delay of around 50 seconds whilst stagehands cleared the course of the debris from the fallen French elephant. The cameras then returned to the top of the slope.

Game 4 - The Frogman's Air Tank
(Le Réservoir d'Air du Homme-Grenouille)

The fourth game - ‘The Frogman’s Air Tank’ (Le Réservoir d’Air du Homme-Grenouille) - was played individually over three rounds of 50 seconds duration and featured three male competitors from each team dressed as a frogmen with compressed-air tanks strapped to their backs. Each tank was connected by a tube to a large deflated balloon which the competitor had to hold. Following the countdown, the frogman had to wait four seconds whilst the air tank’s valve was opened to begin inflating the balloon. Once released, and with the balloon continuously inflating, he had to negotiate a course of obstacles designed to puncture the balloon during his descent. The course comprised of ski-gates, two igloos and a set of gates with large nails protruding inwards which he had to pass through. All three rounds were played in the same order with Switzerland participating first. The team whose competitor could descend the slope in the fastest time with the balloon intact would be declared the winners.

The first round saw Switzerland participating first and they completed the course in 45 seconds. This was followed by the first run of France and they completed the course in 41 seconds and this was now the target for Switzerland to emulate.

On the second round, the competitor from Switzerland became entangled with one of the igloos and lost a considerable amount of time freeing himself. Although he regained his momentum, he was to hit further disaster when his balloon was pierced by one of the nails on the final obstacle. The second competitor from France descended the course without hindrance and completed his run in 41 seconds, the same time as his team-mate in the previous round. The time set by France remained the target for Switzerland to beat.

The third round saw Switzerland complete the course in 43 seconds, and despite having already secured the points, France descended the slope. Not to be outdone, their competitor surpassed all others and completed the course in 40 seconds.

Game 5 - The Exploding Toboggan
(L'Explosion de Luge)

The fifth and penultimate game - ‘The Exploding Toboggan’ (L’Explosion de Luge) - was played individually over three rounds comprising two distinct halves and featured six male competitors from each team. On the countdown, the competitor had to descend the slope and as he approached a small ramp, he had to try and jump as far forward as possible on the other side before touching the ground. The area was marked out in 1m (3 ft 3½in) spacings between 19m (62ft 4in) and 29m (95ft 1½in) from the jump. The par for the course which the competitors had to reach was the 22m (72ft 2in) line. If reached, this number (22) would be deducted from 40 seconds and would give the second competitor 18 seconds to complete the course. However, a penalty would be incurred if the par line was not reached and a bonus would be awarded if it was exceeded. For each metre short of the 22m line, the time permitted would be reduced by one second, and for each metre exceeded the time would be increased by one second.

The second part of the game featured a toboggan with a basket attached to its front end and in which was placed an exploding ‘basketball’. Before each countdown, the referees set a fuse for the time remaining on each particular round and the second competitor had to reach the end of the course before the ball exploded (in reality, it amounted to black smoke being released once the time had been exceeded). All three rounds were played in the same order with France participating first. The team with the greater aggregate score overall would be declared the winners.

The first round saw the competitor from France jump the required 22 metres which gave them the basic 18 seconds to descend the slope in the toboggan. However, they got off to a very slow start which cost them vital seconds and the bomb exploded before they reached the finish line. Switzerland jumped the same distance and with 18 seconds to descend the slope, they also failed to reach the bottom within the permitted time. With neither team able to complete their runs successfully, no points were awarded and the scores were level at 0-0.

The second and penultimate round was almost a repeat of the first, with France attaining the required distance but failing to reach the end of course in the required time. Switzerland did much better and achieved a 26m (85ft 3½in) jump which gave them 22 seconds (an additional four seconds) to complete their task. This additional time was not needed however, because in their haste, the referees had not secured the ‘basketball’ correctly and, during the descent, the ball bounced out of the basket and onto the snow. Referee Gennaro Olivieri explained that this was not the fault of the competitor and therefore they had to accept that the competitor would have passed the finish line in time. In any case, re-runs of the game clearly showed that the tobogganist actually crossed the line well within the 22 seconds. Switzerland were now leading by 1-0.

The third and final round began for France exactly as it had in the previous two with their competitor reaching the 22m line. At the start of the toboggan run, the referees set the fuse alight before the second competitor was ready and it resulted in a mad scramble by them and the tobogganist to ‘defuse’ the ball before it exploded. After a restart, they suffered the same fate as in the previous two runs and failed to reach the finish line before the explosion. The game remained 1-0 to Switzerland with their final run still to play. Not to be outdone, their competitor reached the 26m line once again and, with the additional four seconds, their second competitor became the first of the six to cross the line before the bomb exploded. Switzerland had won the game by 2-0.

Game 6 - The Firemen
(Les Pompiers)

The sixth and final game - ‘The Fire-Fighters’ (Les Pompiers) - was played in unison over three rounds and featured six male competitors from each team. Whilst three of the competitors dressed as fire-fighters were at the top of the slope, the remaining three, dressed in various guises, were located halfway down the slope inside a ‘burning’ barn. On the countdown, the fire-fighter had to descend the course and enter the barn in order to ‘rescue’ his team-mate. The second competitor then had to burst forth through the front doors of the barn and descend the remainder of the slope. The team with the greater aggregate score would be declared the winners.

The first round of this straightforward and somewhat hilarious game saw the rescued competitor wearing skis and a giant chest of drawers costume. Unfortunately, France tumbled shortly after exiting the barn and it ended with Switzerland triumphant after crossing the finish line in 32 seconds.

The second and penultimate round was a closer run race and saw the rescued competitor descending the slope on a bed and it ended with a second victory for Switzerland in 33 seconds with France close behind in 35 seconds. Switzerland were now leading by 2-0 and had in theory won the game overall.

The third and final round was even closer and saw the rescued team-mate sitting inside a bath tub. It ended in the same fashion as the first two rounds with Switzerland triumphant in 34 seconds with France crossing the finish line in 35 seconds. Switzerland had won the game by a scoreline of 3-0.

Game of Questions / Parallel Slalom – The Crescendo
(Le Crescendo)

With France trailing on the scoreboard, they were deemed to play first in the Game of Questions. However, despite their ‘intellectuals’ correctly answering all five questions, their skiers - in this heat wearing one ski with their other foot being used as balance - could only win the second, third and fifth slaloms.

The ‘intellectuals’ of Switzerland fared slightly worse than their rivals, answering questions 1, 2, 4 and 5 correctly, resulting in the third slalom not being competed for. However, their skiers could only secure the points on the first and final rounds.

Additional Information

At the end of the programme, presenter Guy Lux announced that the next programme in the series would be in three weeks’ time. This break allowed broadcasters to carry live coverage and free up technical, administrative and presentation staff and resources for the upcoming Xth Winter Olympic Games being staged in Grenoble, France, between Tuesday 6th and Sunday 18th February 1968.

Made in B/W • This programme exists in European Archives

CH & F

Interneige 1968

Winter Final

Event Staged: Sunday 25th February 1968
Venues: Patinoire (Ice Rink), Centre Sportif des Vernets (Vernets Sports Centre),
Bâtie-Acacias, Jonction, Genève, Switzerland
and Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes), L'Alpe d'Huez, France

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
SSR (CH): Sunday 25th February 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)
ORTF (F): Sunday 25th February 1968, 1.30-2.45pm (Live)

Weather Conditions:
Switzerland - Not applicable as events were staged indoors
France - Sunny and Warm

Presenter Locations:
Georges Kleinmann (CH) and Simone Garnier (F) in Bâtie-Acacias, Switzerland
Claude Evelyne (CH) and Guy Lux (F) in L’Alpe d’Huez, France

Referee Locations:
Guido Pancaldi in Bâtie-Acacias, Switzerland
Gennaro Olivieri and Cesare Vampa in L’Alpe d’Huez, France

Playing Surfaces:
Switzerland - Ice
France - Snow

Teams: Anzère (CH) v. Le Corbier (F)

Team Members included:
Anzère (CH) - Gionardi Canashe, Jean-Jacques Debonne;
Le Corbier (F) - Jean Bertay, Jean-François Dieper, Charlie Esalter.

Games: From Australia to the Congo (in Switzerland), The Parallel Slalom (in France), Beware of the Bag! (in Switzerland), Go, Go, Go! (in France), Toboggan Chess (in Switzerland), Slalom Extravaganza (in France), Game of Questions / Parallel Slalom - The Crescendo (at both venues).

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

Final Scoreboard

1st
2nd

14
12

The Host Towns and Venues

Genève, Switzerland

Genève is a city with a population of around 472,000 inhabitants in the francophonic (French-speaking) canton of the same name. It is located 51km (32 miles) south-west of Lausanne, 63km (39 miles) west of Monthey, 71km (44 miles) east of the French town of Bourg-en-Bresse and 124km (77 miles) north of L’Alpe d’Huez.

It is the second most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and is classified as a global city, a financial centre and a worldwide centre for diplomacy due to the number of international organisations that are based there.

One of the city’s most famous landmarks is the Jet d’Eau (water jet), a large fountain in Lac Léman which is visible throughout the city and from the air, even when flying at an altitude of 10km (33,000ft). An incredible 500 litres (132 gallons) per second are pumped to an altitude of 140m (459ft) by two 500kw pumps. The water leaves the nozzle at a speed of 200kph (124mph) and when it is in operation, at any given moment there are about 7,000 litres (1849 gallons) of water in the air.

Unsuspecting visitors to the fountain, which can be reached via a stone jetty from the left bank of the lake, may be surprised to find themselves drenched after a slight change in wind direction.

Centre Sportif des Vernets (Vernets Sports Centre)

The games at the Swiss venue were played in the neighbourhood of Bâtie-Acacias, in the suburb of Jonction located on the left bank of the River Arve.

It is a popular industrial area that has experienced strong growth with the installation of several private banks, IT companies and departments of university hospitals.

Les Vernets and Queue d’Arve are sub-sectors of the neighbourhood and is fortunate to have many sporting facilities such as Centre Sportif Queue d’Arve, an indoor arena and velodrome, and Centre Sportif des Vernets, a complex dedicated to water and ice sports, and which includes two ice rinks and several indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

L'Alpe d'Huez, France

Pentes de Ski (Ski Slopes)

L'Alpe d'Huez is a village with a permanent population of around 1,700 inhabitants in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes at an altitude ranging from 1,250-3,330m (4,100-10,930ft). It is located 29km (18 miles) south-east of Grenoble, 50km (31 miles) north-east of Briançon, 61km (38 miles) north of Gap and 124km (77 miles) south of Genève.

It is one of Europe's premier skiing venues and was the site of the first surface lift designed by Jean Pomagalski (a French manufacturer of cable-driven lift systems) in 1936.

The resort gained popularity when it hosted the bobsleigh events for the 1968 Winter Olympic Games held at Grenoble, 29km (18 miles) away. At that time the resort was seen as a competitor to Courchevel as France's most upmarket purpose built resort but the development of Les Trois Valles, Val d’Isère, Tignes and La Plagne saw Alpe D'Huez fall from favour in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Today however, with 249km (154 miles) of piste and 84 ski lifts, it is now one of the world's largest and most popular winter resorts.

L’Alpe d’Huez is one of the main mountains in the Tour de France cycling tournament. The climb is 14km (9 miles) at an average 7.9%, with 21 hairpin bends. It was first included in the race in 1952 and has been a stage finish regularly since 1976.

Every Wednesday, until 3rd September, amateur cyclists can pay 5 Euros at the tourist office in Bourg d'Oisans, the village at the foot of the climb, and rent a transponder that will record their time for the 13.8km ascent to the ski resort at the top. An extra Euro gets you a certificate stating that you have joined the many that have completed the most infamous and celebrated mountain climb in cycling.

The Games in Detail

Introduction

This Interneige Final was the first of any Jeux Sans Frontières-based programme to be staged indoors. During his opening introductions, Swiss presenter Georges Kleinmann invited referee Guido Pancaldi and co-presenter Simone Garnier onto the ice. It was clear that Simone was not 100% adept on ice and her journey was with some trepidation, keeping a firm grip around Pancaldi’s waist!

Before the games commenced, the watching audience in the rink were treated to a display on the ice by three-time (1966-1968) British, European and World champions, British skaters, Diane Towler and Bernard Ford. They would further go on and enhance their consecutive record in 1969, when they were once again crowned British, European and World champions. At the 1968 Olympics staged two weeks earlier, the pair participated in a demonstration event for ice-dancing, winning the gold medal. However, the sport was not officially introduced to the Winter Olympic Games until 1976. Both skaters were awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1968 Queen’s Honours List for their achievements in their sport.

Game 1 - From Australia to the Congo
(De l'Australie au Congo)

The first game (the first in Switzerland) - ‘From Australia to the Congo’ (De l’Australie au Congo) - was played in unison over five rounds and featured eight competitors (seven males and one female) from each team dressed in various costumes of animals from around the world. The team with the greater aggregate score would be declared the winners.

The first round featured a male competitor dressed as an Australian kangaroo wearing rubber-soled shoes and an elasticated rope stretched around pulleys at either end of the rink. One end of the rope was tethered to the competitor whilst the other end was attached to the front of a baby’s pram located 5m (16ft 5in) in front of him. The game was designed so that as the competitor moved forward it would pull on the rope causing the pram to move forward also. On the countdown, the competitor had to make his way up the ice before too much pressure was put on the rope in order to ‘capture’ the baby in the pram. Despite its design, the game was almost over before it had begun with France achieving their goal in just 9 seconds. With the first victory, France were leading by 1-0.

The second round featured a male competitor dressed as a North American grizzly bear and a large beehive located in the middle of the rink. The two opposing competitors were connected by a single elasticated rope and they had to participate in a tug-o-war style contest with the aim of reaching and stealing honey from the beehive. On the countdown, and with just 45 seconds to achieve their goal, both set off towards the hive. However, with the game being played on ice and the additional burden of the rope being taut from their opponent’s strength, neither of them was able to get to the hive within the time limit. The round finished in a draw and, as neither team were able to score, no points were awarded. The scores remained the same with France leading by 1-0.

The third round was played over three runs and featured two competitors (one male and one female) dressed as a South African giraffe. On the head of the giraffe was a small spike which had to be utilised to burst a balloon (disguised as an apple) hanging above the rink at the end of the course. On the countdown, the competitors (with referee Guido Pancaldi close behind) had to skate down the rink and the team bursting two balloons overall would win the round. Despite a good start by France on the first run, Switzerland overtook them and burst the apple after 9 seconds of elapsed time. The second and penultimate run was almost a repeat of the first with Switzerland reaching the balloon second but being able to burst it first after 10 seconds. Switzerland had now burst two balloons and in theory had won the round. However, the third and final run went ahead and Switzerland were victorious once again and burst the balloon again after 10 seconds and had won the game by 3-0. The scores were now level at 1-1.

The fourth and penultimate round featured a male competitor dressed as an Indian elephant and played in the same vein as the first round. On the countdown, the competitor had to chase after a basket of hay and stop it. Switzerland reached their basket after just 5 seconds and won the round. Following their second victory, Switzerland were now leading by 2-1.

The fifth and final round was set in Arabia and featured two male competitors in a classic tug-o-war with France dressed in a horse costume and Switzerland dressed as a mule. Both of the animals had small spikes on their heads and, unlike the previous tug-o-war, the game was played face-to-face. Both sets of competitors were tethered at the back and to each other by means of an elasticated rope on pulley wheels at both ends of the course. On the countdown, the competitors had just 30 seconds to race forward in order to burst a balloon (in the guise of a carrot) in the middle of the rink. The game appeared to be stalemate whilst both teams held fast on the ice. However, disaster struck Switzerland when they slipped on the ice after 30 seconds of time had elapsed. Although this permitted France to make their way towards the centre of the rink, they failed to burst the carrot at the first attempt. After repositioning, France burst the carrot and it appeared that they had won the round and tied the game. However, referee Guido Pancaldi then delivered a disappointing blow to France and stated that the balloon had been burst outside the time limit (in fact it was burst after 40 seconds) and therefore the round was tied. With no points awarded, the score remained the same and Switzerland had won the first game by 2-1.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Anzère (CH) (2pts awarded / 2pts total) 2nd Le Corbier (F) (0pts / 0pts)

Game 2 - The Parallel Slalom
(Le Slalom Parallèle)

The second game (the first in France) - ‘The Parallel Slalom’ (Le Slalom Parallèle) - was played in unison over three rounds and featured three male competitors from each team on skis and wrapped in large inflatable black rings. On the countdown, each competitor had to descend the slope and negotiate 11 ski gates, a small ramp (which would provide some difficulty to an otherwise easy game) and then race to the finish line. The team with the greater aggregate score would be declared the winners.

The first round saw each competitor with four rings around his body and although it was a close race, France lost their footing whilst negotiating the ramp and permitted Switzerland to win without opposition in 36 seconds. With the first victory, Switzerland were leading by 1-0.

The second and penultimate round saw each competitor with five rings and ended in another victory for Switzerland after 42 seconds. Switzerland were now leading by 2-0 and in theory had won the game overall.

Despite this, the third and final round was played and it caused some problems for both teams as they had to negotiate the slope with six rings each. This somewhat hampered their arm movements and also their view of the slope. Nevertheless, Switzerland finished the descent in 52 seconds and the team had won the game by 3-0.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Anzère (CH) (2pts awarded / 4pts total) 2nd Le Corbier (F) (0pts / 0pts)

Game 3 - Beware of the Bag
(Méfiez-vous du Sac)

The third game (the second in Switzerland) - ‘Beware of the Bag!’ (Méfiez-vous du Sac!) - was played individually over two minutes duration and featured two male competitors from each team attached to an elasticated rope at either end of the rink. On the countdown, they had to skate towards each other and pass buckets of water from one to the other. Any water that was collected had to be emptied into a barrel on a large set of balancing scales which were supported underneath at each end by a block of wood. In opposition, there were four male team members (two on either side) armed with large sacks of corn hanging from ropes which would be used to knock the competitors off-course and prevent them from collecting the buckets as they were being passed. The competitors would only be able to make a perfect handover when both ropes were stretched to their fullest. The team collecting the greater amount of water would be declared the winners.

The first heat saw the participation of Switzerland, with France in opposition, and they transported a total of 10 buckets. Although the water collected had been placed in the barrel, the result would not be revealed until both teams had competed.

The second heat featured France, with Switzerland in opposition, and they transported a total of 11 buckets across the ice within the permitted time. With the collected water from both teams in their respective containers, referee Guido Pancaldi gave the signal for the supports to be removed by stagehands. The barrel containing the water collected by France immediately dropped to the floor and they had recorded their first victory of the competition.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Anzère (CH) (0pts awarded / 4pts total) 2nd Le Corbier (F) (2pts / 2pts)

Game 4 - Go, Go, Go!
(Allez, Allez, Allez!)

The fourth game (the second in France) - ‘Go, Go, Go!’ (Allez, Allez, Allez!) - was played individually over two minutes duration and featured three male competitors from each team descending the slope whilst negotiating four jumps cleanly. The first of these jumps was in the guise of a small tunnel which was being transported down the slope by two male team-mates on skis. The second obstacle was an open jump, also being moved down the slope, whilst the final two were open static jumps which had small hillocks built-in. All three competitors played in quick succession, with the second commencing as soon as the first had crossed the finish line and the third commencing after the second had done likewise. All the jumps had to be negotiated in order by each competitor, irrespective of their location on the slope at the time (the portable jumps continued to be manoeuvred down the slope throughout the game). The team completing the game in the faster time would be declared the winners.

The first heat saw the participation of Switzerland and they completed their first run after 33 seconds of elapsed time, the second run after 1 minute 22 seconds and completed all three descents in 2 minutes 01.5 seconds. However, the referees confirmed that only 11 jumps (4 + 4 + 3) had been negotiated cleanly.

The second heat featured France and they completed their first descent after 28 seconds of elapsed time, the second descent after 1 minute 27 seconds and the third after 2 minutes 00.2 seconds. However, although they had completed the game in a faster time, they had only negotiated 10 jumps (4 + 3 + 3) cleanly.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Anzère (CH) (2pts awarded / 6pts total) 2nd Le Corbier (F) (0pts / 2pts)

Comments: Although clearly stated by presenter Guy Lux and confirmed by referee Gennaro Olivieri before the game started, the time limit on the game for all three runs would be two minutes, it was evident that some leeway had been given to the teams after they had both exceeded this time at the end of their respective participation!

Game 5 - Toboggan Chess
(Luge Échecs)

The fifth and penultimate game (the third game in Switzerland) - ‘Toboggan Chess’ (Luge Échecs) - was played individually over four runs and featured four male competitors from each team sitting on four small toboggans at the top of a long chute located in the gallery and which descended onto the middle of an ice rink below. In front of the chute was a playing area which had four very large chess pieces on ropes on either side. On the countdown, the first competitor descended the chute whilst eight opposing team members pulled the chess pieces into the playing area from one side to the other, in order for him to knock down. So that there could be no underhand tactics, the chess pieces had to be pulled over a centre line otherwise they would be deemed as having been knocked down. Any that fell over due to the opposition pulling on the ropes too hard were also counted likewise. At the end of each run, all the chess pieces were put back into play. The team deemed as having knocked down the greater overall number of pieces would be declared the winners.

The first heat saw the participation of Switzerland and they knocked down three pieces on their first run followed by an additional four on their second run. Their third run proved more fruitful when their tobogganist knocked down six pieces and a further four on his final attempt giving them a total of 17 (3 + 4 + 6 + 4).

The second heat featured France and, on their first run, the crowd were witness to what presenter Georges Kleinmann called a ‘massacre’. Their competitor was deemed to have knocked down seven pieces (although a couple had been ‘pulled over’ by the opposition), after their rivals had pulled all the pieces straight into his firing line. On the second run, the opposition having learned from their previous error, skilfully pulled the pieces further over the playing area and this resulted in them only being able to score three. The third run saw an additional five pieces (two of which had hit the ice before the competitor had even exited the chute!) being deemed as knocked down. Their total at this point was now 15 (7 + 3 + 5) and the team only needed to knock down three more pieces to win the game. However, any worries that the team might have had were soon quashed after the opposition again ‘pulled over’ three pieces before their competitor had even exited the chute and therefore handed them the game. The score for their fourth run was five and France had won the game by 20-17.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Anzère (CH) (0pts awarded / 6pts total) 2nd Le Corbier (F) (2pts / 4pts)

Game 6 - Slalom Extravaganza
(Slalom Spectacle)

The sixth and final game (the third game in France) - ‘Slalom Extravaganza’ (Slalom Spectacle) - was, like many of the other games in this programme, a compendium of runs in various guises, played over three rounds and featured a total of ten male competitors from each team. The team with the greater aggregate score would be declared the winners.

The first round was played individually over one minute duration and featured two competitors from each team, one dressed as a mariner on skis inside a bottomless boat and the other attired as a ‘water-skier’. On the countdown, the mariner had to hold the boat aloft and descend the slope in a straight line whilst the water-skier had to wind his way around large balloons from one side of the course to the other. The first heat saw the participation of France and it appeared that they were doing well until the mariner tumbled to the ground after 28 seconds of elapsed time and became entangled with the rope and the boat. Despite all his efforts, he was unable to get to his feet again within the permitted time and referee Gennaro Olivieri deemed that the team had a score of just 7 balloons. With the delay in clearing the slope and with this being a ‘live’ transmission, the second run was delayed until after the second round of the game was played.

The second round, which had its start halfway-down the slope, was played in unison and featured two competitors from each team standing on small sledges holding on to a rope attached to the front. On the countdown, it was a simple race to the bottom of the slope. The aggregate scores of both competitors would decide the winner of the round. Switzerland finished in 1st and 2nd places (4pts + 3pts = 7pts) whilst France finished in 3rd and 4th places (2pts + 1pt = 3pts). Switzerland were leading 1-0 on the game.

The cameras then returned to the top of the slope for the conclusion of the delayed second half of the first round of the game. Although Switzerland got off to a bad start after their mariner fell to the ground after the first balloon had been passed, unlike his rival, he was able to get back onto his feet again and the team negotiated 11 balloons within the permitted time. With their second victory, Switzerland were now leading 2-0 and had in theory already won the game.

The third round went ahead, despite the outcome having already been decided, and was very daring in its design. It featured six competitors from each team, two positioned in a classic pantomime horse posture attached to a sulky kart on which a third competitor was sitting. On the countdown, it was a straight race down the slope with two sulkies from each team, with the aggregate scores of crossing the finish line deciding the winner. Although the second of Switzerland’s sulkies tumbled to the ground almost immediately, the remaining three completed the course at high speed. Switzerland crossed the line in 1st place with their other trio deemed as having finished in 4th place (4pts + 1pt = 5pts) whilst France finished in 2nd and 3rd places (3pts + 2pts = 5pts). With the round ending in a draw, the overall score on the game was 3-1 to Switzerland. With their fourth win of the competition, they were now leading Le Corbier (F) by 4pts. However all was not lost, as the French were still to have their moment of glory.

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Anzère (CH) (2pts awarded / 8pts total) 2nd Le Corbier (F) (0pts / 4pts)

Comments: With the introduction of Health and Safety still decades into the future, the watching crowd at the bottom of the slope could clearly be seen dispersing very quickly in preparation from the parts of flying equipment thrown into the air as three of the sulkies crashed and tumbled to the ground whilst the teams attempted to bring their vehicles to a halt!

Game of Questions / Parallel Slalom – The Crescendo
(Le Crescendo)

The Game of Questions and the 2nd (pyramid carry) and 4th (skating) parallel slaloms were played in the ice rink, whilst the 1st (mono-ski [for France] / ski-bob [for Switzerland]), 3rd (ski-bob [for France] / mono-ski [for Switzerland]) and 5th (skiing) parallel slaloms were played on the ski slopes in France.

As they were trailing by 4pts, France were deemed to participate first. The ‘intellectuals’ were informed that they had responded to the first question correctly and the cameras went to France for the first slalom. However, before it could begin, Guy Lux asked his co-presenter Claude Evelyne if the competitors on ski bobs were ready. She stated that the ski-bobbers were not at the top of the slope but the mono-skiers were. He then announced that there was some confusion as to the order of the slalom at the top of the slope and that the second question should be set. After the second slalom race had been played the cameras returned to France for the first slalom, only to find that the mono-skiers were preparing to descend. At the end of the round, the ‘intellectuals’ of France had answered all five questions correctly, but their slalom participants had failed to win the 2nd and 3rd runs. This gave them an additional 10pts (1pt + 4pts + 5pts).

►GQ France - Questions 1-5 Answered Correctly / Slaloms 1+4+5 won◄

Running Scores and Positions: 1st Le Corbier (F) (10pts (1pt + 4pts + 5pts) awarded / 14pts total) ▲ 2nd Anzère (CH) (8pts total) ▼

The destination of the Interneige Trophy now hinged on the knowledge of the ‘intellectuals’ of Switzerland and the abilities of their slalom participants. But to begin with, things were a little messy.

Before the start of the first slalom in the second half of the game, there was some confusion at the top of the slope as to which of the slaloms should be taking place. French presenter Guy Lux categorically stated that it should be the ski-bob although everyone at the top was prepared with the mono-ski. After the correct race had been run, the cameras returned to Switzerland, only to be met with questions by presenter Georges Kleinmann regarding the order again. At this point referee Gennaro Olivieri stepped in and confirmed the exact same comments of Lux earlier. It was apparent that many in Switzerland were unhappy that the order was different to that of France, but Olivieri stated that there had been no disadvantage to Switzerland as their rival had fallen and that they had won the round in any case.

After giving a correct response to the first question the programme was handed over to France for the first slalom which they duly won. Having failed in answering the second question, the scores were now standing at 14-9 in France’s favour. The third question was answered correctly and with the slalom also won, Switzerland had gained another 3pts to bring the scores to 14-12. With the fourth question also being answered incorrectly and the scores remaining as they were, the competition was to be decided on the very last question and slalom race.

The final question was to name the five capital cities of Australia, Burma, Cyprus, Madagascar and Ukraine with the correct answers being Canberra, Rangoon, Nicosia, Tananarive and Kiev, respectively. Since its original broadcast, world events have had a direct effect on some of those cities and the answers if asked today. Burma is today known as Myanmar and its capital city is Nay Pyi Taw and the capital city of Madagascar is now known as Antananarivo.

With the fifth correct answer being given on the stroke of 24 seconds, it all hinged on their competitor beating France on the descent. Unfortunately for Switzerland, unlike both his compatriots in the previous two snow-based slaloms, the competitor from France kept his feet on the ground and won the race by a mere three metres. With Anzère scoring a total of 4pts (1pt + 3pts), they had been beaten by Le Corbier by 14-12, the French having achieved an incredible comeback to win the Interneige Trophy!

►GQ Switzerland - Questions 1, 3, 5 Answered Correctly / Slaloms 1+3 won◄

Final Scores and Positions: 1st Le Corbier (F) (14pts) 2nd Anzère (CH) (4pts (1pt + 3pts) awarded / 12pts total) Points Differences: Anzère (CH) -2pts difference Le Corbier (F) +2pts difference

Made in B/W • This programme exists in European Archives

JSFnetGB Series Guide pages researched by
Neil Storer and Alan Hayes
with Ischa Bijl, Julien Dessy, Sébastien Dias, David Hamilton, Denis Kirsanov, Paul Leaver, Philippe Minet,
Christos Moustakas, David Laich Ruiz, Marko Voštan and JSFnet Websites