The ANICES association participated in the French Para-Snowboard Championships, from March 25 to 28 in Les Saisies. The team from Nice returned from Savoie with three medals in their bag, including two golds.
With the newly crowned world champion of para-snowboard, Maxime Montaggioni, among their ranks, ANICES had high hopes for these French Championships, organized in the Beaufortain valley. “Maxime and I won the gold medal in SnowboardCross,” said Patrice Barattero, head of the association’s snowboard section, who organized and took part in this competition.
There were four representing ANICES in their respective categories. “Olivier Boudin also won silver. And Patrice Piette finished fourth.” The participants are separated into three categories. Maxime Montaggioni is in UL (editor’s note: upper limb deficiency), Patrice Barattero in FBL L1 (lower limb amputation).
Olivier Boudin and Patrice Piette in FBL L2 (lighter lower limb amputation). “We achieved the same results as last year, the sport is developing rapidly, and we will work hard to do better next year.”
A Sport Lagging Behind
The development of para-snowboard is challenging. “We only participated in two events from Monday to Tuesday, whereas the alpine skiers took part for four days. It’s a pity. We discussed this with the tournament organizers, but we don’t have enough participants.” The snowboard manager of ANICES regrets the minor status allocated to his sport. “But today, we are the leading club in France, in terms of medals and members this year. We must promote para-snowboard.” To do so, Patrice aims to train many young people this year. “Maxime Montaggioni’s participation in the 2018 Olympic Games in South Korea should give our sport a boost.”
