A path to relive the loopy epic of the Combe-Girard ski soar

On the bottom, there stays solely an imposing steel construction surrounded by forest the place the vegetation has regained its rights. However in reminiscence, the Combe-Girard ski soar, close to Le Locle, is a part of the historical past of regional and nationwide sport.

The Metropolis of Le Locle, by its promotional workplace, subsequently wished to revive recollections with a stroll dotted with explanatory panels with archive photographs. This begins on the parking zone of the Communal sports activities middle and continues to the foot of the ski soar. “The target of our workplace can also be to focus on the gorgeous recollections of the Metropolis of Le Locle. And this springboard has made Le Locle recognized all through the world”, explains, enthusiastically, the promoter of the Commune Mom Bernard Vaucher.

This route relies on archive pictures discovered particularly in collaboration with the Library of the Metropolis of La Chaux-de-Fonds, but additionally screenshots of a documentary that Tv Suisse Romande on the time was got here to movie at Combe-Girard on the finish of the sixties. Former Le Locle jumpers Serge Wirth, Francis Favre and Gérard Balanche, Swiss champion in 1987, additionally contributed by sharing their recollections and even their gear.

A mecca for Swiss winter sports activities

In-built 1932, the Combe-Girard ski soar was operated till the Nineteen Nineties. It hosted many worldwide and nationwide competitions, such because the Swiss tour of the 4 ski jumps alongside Engelberg, Saint-Moritz and Gstaad. Some competitions have been broadcast in Eurovision. As much as 15,000 folks flocked to the location throughout competitors days. “We discovered many photographs, together with one which exhibits the world. When there was competitors, the Metropolis of Le Locle emptied,” remembers Bernard Vaucher.

As for the way forward for the place, it isn’t fastened. The Metropolis casts doubt on a potential transformation of the construction of the springboard into an commentary tower. /lre