Forcé de se délocaliser, le Bukolik fêtera ses 20 ans à fond la caisse à Villard-sur-Chamby

Contraint de se délocaliser, le Bukolik fête ses vingt ans en grande pompe

Anchored in the heights of Montreux, the Bukolik Festival is moving this year to Villard-sur-Chamby starting this Friday.

“The Bukolik is the oldest freeride competition on the road in the world!” Organiser for fifteen years, Luca Salvadore has seen this event gradually take off before gaining a reputation far and wide. On the occasion of its 20th edition, he reminisces about its early beginnings.

“It all started in Lausanne, where a few local skaters were zooming on rollerblades through the city streets. But with the traffic, it became really dangerous.” The Lausanne crew therefore migrated to the heights of Montreux in 2003 in order to organize an event on closed roads. The Bukolik Festival was supposed to allow participants to safely glide down the slopes.

“From August 11th to 13th, the best downhill riders from Switzerland and around the world will come to compete on our descent. This is evidenced by the participation of the triple world champion of roller downhill: Swiss athlete Romane Favia. But there will also be amateurs and beginners, that’s the beauty of Bukolik. These newcomers can discover our sport without the risk of colliding with other vehicles,” points out Luca Salvadore.

Always have a plan B

Under normal circumstances, Bukolik takes place on the Sonloup road, in Les Avants. Due to renovations of the funicular, it had to relocate this year to the other side of the hill in Villard-sur-Chamby.

“We are very attached to Les Avants and everyone there knows about the event. The funicular is also a real plus: seeing riders descending amidst fields, cows, and fir trees and then going up by funicular above the lake brings a certain charm to our event. This year, we have to do things differently and it’s true that it has complicated the organization,” says Luca Salvadore. “We have done a lot of door-to-door visits in the neighborhood to inform them of the new project as well as to warn them of its logistical complications.”

Despite the changes this implies, it was unthinkable for the organizers to cancel everything this year: “Even during the Covid period, Bukolik always took place. So, it’s not a funicular that will stop us,” says the organizer with a smile. “But it is true that we are looking forward to returning to Les Avants for future editions.”

“We expect the top riders to be clocked at over 120 km/h,” says Luca Salvadore, Bukolik Festival organizer.

The freeriders will start from the former mountaineer’s restaurant in Villard-sur-Chamby and finish 3 km further down just above the Chamby train station. All on a freshly renovated road surface.

“It has been eleven years since we last took this section. It is less winding and therefore much more focused on speed. The fastest participants probably cover this distance in less than 2’15”. We have added a speed radar along the side of the road, and we expect the top riders to be clocked at over 120 km/h.”

Romane Favia has been practicing roller downhill for only four years, but she is already a star in her discipline. The 23-year-old Lausanne native is a triple world champion in Inline Downhill, a category included in Bukolik, an event that holds a special place in her heart.

What is your relationship with Bukolik?

A strong relationship. In 2020, I went to Bukolik ready to compete in my first professional race. I discovered the adrenaline that this sport provides as well as the enthusiasm of the audience. I immediately fell in love with this sport. It is also where I met my current coach.

For you, is it an unmissable event?

Yes, absolutely! I consider the team members as my family, so if my schedule allows it, I always try to participate. There is also a high level of competition, which is ideal for testing oneself while having maximum fun. And let’s admit it, the picturesque backdrop helps too.

Which races will you take part in?

I’m still recovering from an injury, but I will definitely participate in the street luge competition, as it suits the course very well. And I will obviously bring my rollerblades with me (laughs).