Jean Vuarnet Plaza, Avoriaz

This past Saturday some 300 people attended the ceremony naming the plaza at Avoriaz upper tram station after Jean Vuarnet, who won the Olympic downhill in Squaw Valley back in 1960. Vuarnet who split his retirement years between Quebec and Morzine was there along with a roster of former champions and associates. After winning his gold medal, Vuarnet was able to parlay his victory by launching the famous line of sunglasses named after him and was the man who not only had the vision for Avoriaz, but was also instrumental in making the Portes du Soleil ski interconnect possible between 8 French and 4 Swiss neighboring mountain resorts. For his two latter achievements, nothing was easy and for the downhiller, co-credited with Georges Joubert for inventing and perfecting the “tuck” ski position, there was lots of obstructionism, jealousy and pettiness from locals to fend off along the way to building his vision. At any rate Jean, you’ve achieved it beautifully now and can be proud of yourself; heartfelt congratulations!