Sex equality on skis? Not a chance!

Yesterday a dual slalom took place in my former stomping grounds of Morzine, France. The show, followed by a concert was organized by CR2H, “Les copains d'abord”, a non-profit outdoors association.

The race offered a total purse of 2,600 euros and there was a men's race as well as a women's race that both fielded a winner in each category. What was remarkable, though, was that the male winner pocketed 1,000 euros, while the female winner had to make do with just 700 euros!

Same race, but still a 30% difference between what the male earned over his female counterpart. At any rate, this represents twice the average French Gender Pay Gap (GPG) which just like the average GPG for Europe stands at about 15%.

Could someone explain to me what still justifies this questionable measure of athletic talent?