Last week, Voyages-SNCF celebrated the launch of their new winter fares by hosting an exclusive interview with BBC Ski Sunday presenter Graham Bell.
The added twist was that the interviewer was GB skier cross athlete Emily Sarsfield. Chaletline was there to bring you the inside track on what they discussed:
ES: You’ve been to five Olympic Games as an athlete and four as a presenter. What was your favourite?
GB: Sochi earlier this year was the best Olympics I’ve been to since I stopped racing. Obviously the highlight was Jenny Jones’ bronze medal. The BBC received 300 complaints about the commentary that day – and it’s true that Aimee Fuller [Jenny Jones’ teammate and roommate] did get over-excited, I thought Ed (Leigh) and Tim (Warwood) got it right.
What was the highlight of your racing career?
Well, it wasn’t my best result, but best performance was definitely my 12th in the Hannenkahm downhill in Kitzbuhel in 1994. That race is the ultimate test.
…and the lowpoint?
The lowest point in my career was definitely seeing Gernot Reinstadler die after a massive crash on the Lauberhorn in Wengen (in 1991). It was a tragic and chilling reminder of how dangerous this sport can be.
Downhill or skier cross?
It has to be downhill, but if skier cross had been invented 10 years earlier I would have seriously considered it. Downhill has lost its way in the last few years.
When you were on Channel 4’s ‘The Jump’ did you actually do the jump yourself?
Yes, I tried all three jumps myself. There were some demos by local ski jumpers, but they were using specialist skis and boots. I wanted to show the celebrities that it could be done using regular equipment and put them at ease.
And was the most competitive celebrity?
Sir Steve Redgrave, without a doubt. He signed up because he wanted to test himself and improve his skiing. He is the most competitive person I’ve ever met for sure.
We hear you’ve entered the multi-stage ultra marathon the Marathon des Sables!
Yes it’s true. It’s also true that I don’t like running that much and I don’t really like the heat. However, I like to set challenges for myself, particularly since I stopped racing. Plus it’s for a good cause – Walking With The Wounded.
What’s your funniest moment during your career?
I interviewed Franz Klammer once for Ski Sunday and asked him how he felt when I he was standing at the top of the Streif waiting to start in Kitzbuhel: “I tell you Graham, I was absolutely shitting myself!’
franz klammer
Do you like travelling by train?
Absolutely. I’ve travelled out to the Alps by train many times. I remember when I was about 12, I went out to Murren by train and stayed up too late. A friend and I slept too late and we missed out stop in Basel. We ended up walking up in a siding. It worked out in the end as the Swissrail people sorted everything out for us!
Tell us a secret…
Snowboarding is going to be included in ‘The Jump’ in the new series!
To get ‘the jump’ on your catered chalet holiday, contact the Chaletline team on 01822 617761