Speed Masters

And World Cup finals

The 2026 edition of the Speed Masters ski race in Vars was of a very high standard. On Friday 20 March, the skiers set off from the top of the legendary Chabrières piste, the scene of some of the world’s greatest speed skiing performances. Simon Billy and Valentina Greggio were crowned world champions.

The competitions continue from 2 to 4 April 2026 with the race for the FIS world record Speed Masters.

From 2 to 4 April 2026

Speed Masters FIS

Towards a new world record?

The Chabrières piste had not yet said its last word. After hosting the World Championships and the 2026 FIS World Cup finals in speed skiing, the Speed Masters FIS 2026 marked the end of the international speed skiing season. Everything was in place to make this final event the most explosive of the year.

The condition of the piste, its demanding profile (with almost 98% gradient in the first few metres), combined with snow in excellent condition and a favourable weather forecast, all pointed to the possibility of new world records.

A new record

of the women's world

Valentina Greggio sets a new women’s world record at 248.27km/h

On Friday 3 April 2026, the Chabrières piste was once again the scene of a feat. Italy’s Valentina Greggio set a new women’s ski speed world record at 248.27km/h, ten years after her previous record was set in Vars.

“I’m really happy, I’ve been trying to achieve this goal for ten years. The real milestone was 250km/h, but I know I achieved something excellent today.

Thanks to optimal preparation, perfectly tuned equipment and a track in excellent condition, Valentina Greggio has confirmed her status as a world reference and is now aiming to reach a new milestone.

Simon Billy confirms his place at the top

Among the men, no records were broken this year due to unfavourable conditions. However, Simon Billy took victory at Speed Masters FIS 2026 with a speed of 251.22 km/h, the best performance of all the runs.

Despite the disappointment of not surpassing his world record of 255.5 km/h set in 2023, he is very satisfied with his season: “I’m extremely happy: a fifth world champion title and a crystal globe won on home soil… it’s been an exceptional year. We’ve made the most of this track and this discipline, which is encouraging for the future. My aim is still to push the limits and set a second world record.

Category S1

World Champions 2026

A spectacular and decisive start from the summit
on the Chabrières piste

Vars hosted a remarkably intense 2026 edition of Speed Masters. On Friday 20 March, the skiers were able to take off from the top of the legendary Chabrières piste, the scene of some of the world’s greatest speed skiing performances. This exceptional start, made possible by ideal weather conditions, played a decisive role in the awarding of the titles. This was only the third start from the summit in ten years, a rare event that underlines the extraordinary nature of this edition.

Simon Billy, still at the top of the sport

The Chabrières track is his heritage, his playground, his history. It was here in 2023 that he set his world record at 255.500 kph, becoming the first man to break the 255 kph barrier.
This season, Simon Billy has built his performance using a methodical approach, focusing on working on his speed fundamentals with the clear aim of conquering the globe.

Since the start of the competition, he has dominated every run: 189.47km/h, 207.97km/h, 223.04km/h, 232.85km/h, 244.56km/h, before finally winning with authority at 252.10km/h from the summit.
Although the final run could not be contested, his performances on the previous runs were enough to secure him a fifth consecutive world title, confirming his status as a world benchmark.

Valentina Greggio, her domination intact

As solid as ever, Valentina Greggio claimed her sixth world title, confirming her stranglehold on the discipline.

World record holder since 2016 with a mark of 247.083 km/h, she continues to set the benchmark at the highest level.

Like Simon Billy, she won every one of her runs, leaving no opportunity for her rivals. Her consistency and technical mastery have enabled her to maintain a significant lead, further establishing her name in the history of speed skiing.

World Championship

Category S2 Juniors

French prodigies from the Vars club win the world junior speed ski championships

The world championship for junior klists, held on Tuesday 17 March 2026, was marked by the victories of two young Frenchmen, both from the local Vars club.

In the women’s category, Emma Charpentreau, aged 19, won on home soil with a run at 171.59 kph. She was ahead of Sweden’s Villemo Andersson, who reached 170.05km/h, while third place went to France’s Elorri Etcheverry, from the Pyrenees, with a speed of 167.67km/h.

In the men’s category, Nolan Ribet, also aged 19, also won on home soil with a speed of 181.08km/h. He was just ahead of Sweden’s Edwin Andersson, who reached 180.72 km/h. Third place went to the young skier from Risoul, Andrea Beligni, with a speed of 180.27 km/h.

Discover the results126KB

In pictures

Saturday 21 March 2026

World Cups

Vars played host to two decisive finals of the 2026 Ski Speed World Cup, sealing a fine season. Thanks to his two victories on the Chabrières piste, Simon Billy secured first place in the overall standings with 480 points, winning his 2ᵉ Globe de Cristal. He was ahead of Italy’s Simone Origone (360 pts) and France’s Bastien Montès (350 pts).

In the women’s race, Italy’s Valentina Greggio continues her impressive domination by claiming her 8ᵉ Globe de Cristal, with 500 points overall. She is followed by Sweden’s Agnes Abrahamsson (400 pts) and France’s Maëlle Loridon (265 pts).