Anne Quéméré has successfully sailed into the sunset.

I am 2 days late getting this news off to you, but Anne Quéméré, the ultimate extreme sports’ adventurer, has successfully cast off and has set sail on her epic solo kite voyage from San Francisco to Taihiti. She left on Tuesday, 4th November at 10.32 a.m. local time.

She was towed to the Departure point which was under the Golden Gate Bridge.  From there she was left to start the launch on her own, this meant pumping the kite boarders, launching the various lines, lifting anchor and finally raising the kite. All this took about 45 minsutes and  then she really was “on her way”.

There was bright ‘Frisco sunshine and perfect weather conditions with a 20 – 25 knot North by Northwest wind which is expected to hold for the next three days. Her direction is 123° west which should keep her out of range of the cargo routes..

The wait had been worth it.

Good luck and bon voyage… and we will follow her 7000km journey with anticipation.

You can visit her site directly if you wish – www.anne-quemere.com She intends to update it every 2 days. The crossing is expected to take 5 – 6 weeks.

Which opening dates have been scheduled for European ski resorts?

Having had a look at America I thought I’d take a quick look at what’s happening over here in Europe. I must say, for all us poor Europeans, it’s not looking as exciting as America yet… However, for what it’s worth, here goes…

Val d’Isere

FRANCE

Tignes – November 03, OPEN with 30-60″ of snow and 6 out of 96 lifts operating.
Val d’Isere – November 29
Serre-Chevalier – December 13

Val’d’Isere really is a winter wonderland. Despite all the development and the huge increase in the popularity of skiing, it has managed to retain its French Alp charm. Quite apart from its picturesqueness, it has 300 kms of slopes and a snowpark – something for everyone from beginners to champions. It’s high altitude assures a long season.

Val d’Isere

SWITZERLAND

Zermatt – November 04, OPEN with 6 – 80″ snow and 7 out of 62 lifts operating.

Zermatt, at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn, is a world without cars. Electric-cars and horse-drawn sleighs and carriages are the only transport allowed. It offers all year round skiing. In the summer, skiing and snowboarding is possible on over 20 km of ski runs. In winter over 313 km of ski runs challenge skiers of all levels. On top of that, Gravity Park offers snowboarders half pipes, jumps, kickers and rails for 300 days of the year, whilst the downhill runs on the Gorner and Findel glaciers will test even the most hardened extreme sports adventurer – in fact they recommend that you do not take this challenge without a mountain guide.

AUSTRIA

Hintertux – November 04, OPEN, 13 of 21 lifts operating
Kitzsteinhorn – November 04, OPEN, 13 of 20 operating
Molltal Glacier – November 04, OPEN, 5 of 10
Soelden – November 04, OPEN, 10 of 34
St. Johann – December 06

Hintertux is 3000 metres above sea level in the Tyrolean Mountains. The Zillertaler ski regions of Penken, Rastkogel, Eggalm and the Hintertuxer Gletscher can guarantee snow and combines in winter to become the Ski & Gletscherwelt Zillertal 3000 – 4 ski regions – 1 Skipass – and unlimited ski fun from 630 metres to 3250 metres above sea level. This region covers 227 km of slopes in a surface area of 800 hectares. 59 state of the art lift and cable car systems guarantee a superlative winter holiday.

It was a fabulous start to the season in Hintertux… they had early snow in October and it is like the deepest winter there – powder on the slopes, a brilliant snowpark, there was free testing of the latest material and two big opening parties. Fun for everyone.

ITALY

Bormio – November 04, OPEN, 2 of 13 lifts
Breuil-Cervinia – November 04, OPEN, 4 of 24 lifts

The Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche Zermatt district is one of the largest in the Alps, with varied terrain on offer. It stretches through three valleys in two countries, Italy and Switzerland, from the 3,883 m of the Piccolo Cervino descending to the 1,524 m of Valtournenche. 350 km of ski runs offering the chance to ski all day without ever repeating the same run twice.

… and that’s all I can find at the moment. I can see I shall have to update this article soon!