Meribel 2022: Torchlight ceremony as games opened by Countess of Wessex

The Countess of Wessex has officially declared the Inter Services Snow Sports Championship in Meribel open, just two weeks after the French government finally opened its borders to the UK.

This year's French Alps event will provide top-end racing for all three services. The 2021 competition was cancelled to the COVID pandemic.

The countess watched as athletes descended with torches in a colourful opening ceremony, then wished competitors "bon chance", saying she hoped the event is "incredibly good fun".

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