Curtain up for the exotic: Grandpa of four is a proud tail light

2:06.89 minutes – with this time, Jean-Pierre Roy was 85th and almost 55 seconds behind the leading Bulgarian Albert Popow at the end of the classification in the first round of the giant slalom World Cup qualification in Courchevel.

But that didn’t bother the 59-year-old Haitian at all. Because firstly, being there is everything, and secondly, he has achieved the goal with great pride. The “evergreen” is a dazzling figure and the only grandfather in the alpine ski circuit. Roy has four grandchildren who seem to inspire him to the best of his ability.

Roy had only started skiing at the age of 39. After the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 – and a bet – the owner of a computer shop in the Paris suburb wanted to show that there was more to his home country than misery.

In 2011 he made his debut in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the Alpine World Ski Championships, and now he wants to keep coming back. Advanced age doesn’t matter, because after all it’s not about medals for him, it’s just about being part of a big alpine family.

Roy is fascinated by the World Cup stage. In order to be eligible to start, he founded the Haitian Ski Federation Fédération Haïtienne de Ski, of which he is also President. “I want to convey the values ​​of sport to people. No matter what happens, athletes get back up. And they respect each other,” he says.

Hubertus von Hohenlohe is even a bit older, the 64-year-old prince, who is starting for Mexico and who impresses with his elegant outfits, is contesting his 21st World Championship in France.

Unlike Roy, Hohenlohe didn’t finish his run, he failed after the second split, where he was just under 16 seconds behind. “I don’t take it too seriously, but of course I’m trying to improve.”