Each year, this European competition brings together priests, deacons or pastors from the Alps in a different resort in Switzerland, Italy or France. After the Southern Alps last year, Les Gets will host the 61st edition of this challenge, from 19 to 22 March 2023, honouring these atypical and very recognisable champions.
There were 22 of them at the very first edition which took place in Les Gets in 1962, and this year they will be around thirty to take part in the cross-country skiing competition on Monday 20th March at 10am and in the giant slalom on Tuesday 21st March at 10am in Les Nauchets. As the birthplace of its organisation, the resort has already hosted this competition on 9 occasions.
A challenge created in 1962…
It was in 1962 that Alfred Delavay, a visionary and dynamic priest, had the idea of creating this sporting event. Born in Les Gets in 1922, he was a mountain man at heart and a skier from an early age, hence the idea of sharing his passion with others.
Victim of a fatal accident with his rope partner on 18 September 1965 during a traverse in the Mont Blanc massif, his family and the priests of the Arc Alpin wanted to perpetuate the challenge he had created by naming it “Challenge Alfred Delavay” in his honour.
