Msat Amazing Hockey Madness!

MSAT’S AMAZING HOCKEY MADNESS

Chapter 1 : Ida Chapot Women’s tournament in Chamonix


It was just a balmy afternoon in the cozy alpine town of Martigny. Sitting comfortably on the terrace of our hotel admiring the snowy peak of a magnificent mountain, the players were getting into their preparation for the tournament which was the last leg of their European hockey tour. The ladies were enjoying a hearty breakfast before heading out for Chamonix where they would represent Canada (hey!) in the Ida Chapot tournament in the small and friendly resort of Chamonix, France. The experience had been nothing short of amazing to the point where the women just did not feel like returning home.

Their hockey tour began in the beautiful lake area north of Milan. After a walking tour of the Italian fashion capital, the group headed to Cantu, on the shores of Lake Como and spent two nights before moving on the western part of Switzerland. The towns of Como, Lugano and Locarno proved outstanding discoveries for the twenty women from the Montreal area. That’s where the girls had their first encounter with European hockey and the large ice surface. It was a close game in Bellinzona, but the girls had to settle for a heartbreaking loss. But it would only a matter of time before they’d get back on the winning end. Zurich, Bern and Lucerne, including two more friendly matches, were next on the itinerary, but it was also time to get acquainted with the succulent Swiss specialties! What’s a trip to Switzerland without visiting a cheese factory and Emmental cheese making factory had Canada written all over it. The host team in Bern gave a brand new meaning to the word hospitality as the girls were greeted with gifts and following nn exciting game (and a first win) it was an evening to be remembered. It was the sign of even more wonderful times to come in what was the last period of their journey which featured two more wins on the ice and many more new friends off the ice. Saying it was a great time would be an understatement. The girls really got into the swing of things enjoying all the activities we had in store for them, including Cailler’s chocolate factory and museum, vineyards in the Valais the fabulous Chillon castle and the dazzling thermal baths at Yverdon-les-bains. The next game played in altitude at Verbier on a semi-open rink proved to be an unforgettable experience. Then the following game took place in Meyrin, a Geneva suburb, before closing out the hockey tour with a contest at La Chaux-de-Fonds where it was nothing short of a true carnival as both teams celebrated well into the night. The hockey tour literally went into overtime as the Icelandic volcano erupted sending the tour into a 6-day extension. MSAT came to the rescue once again registering the Montreal team to the Ida Chapot tournament in Chamonix. The girls were just ecstatic and despite the inconvenience made the best of it, playing four more games ending up with a silver medal. Chamonix had much more to offer than just a hockey tournament. The girls really enjoyed their climb to the sky aboard the the "Mont Blanc" express, a train that travels through the mountains between Martigny and Chamonix in just over an hour. The 8-team tournament featuring French and Swiss teams suddenly became an international event with the presence of the Canadian team. The tournament, named after the captain of the first women's team in Chamonix, proved to be an ideal combination of fun and friendly competition. Their stay in Chamonix included the visit of the Aiguille du Midi at an altitude of 3842m. Tournament officials had the foresight to plan a western-style evening party which helped to build the friendship among all competitors. The Montreal-based team made it to the semi-finals, a stellar performance given the fatigue after a journey of nearly three weeks. Obviously proud of their results, the girls were very pleased with the unexpected experience, which was not part of the initial program. In addition to the six friendly games, four tournament games (a schedule worthy of NHL players), a series of traditional food, cultural and historical activities left everyone with fond memories.

Women's hockey continues to gain in popularity not only in America but also in several European countries and it’s obvious that the destinations available to women, regardless of their age are on the increase. Switzerland not only offers great hockey opportunities for both friendly and competitive games, but it also provides breathtaking views, scenic areas and a broad spectrum of sporting and cultural activities.

Let MSAT give you and your team the best of what Switzerland has to offer!