Switzerland Villars Palace Hotel gilt silver medal early Bobsleigh Coupe de Leman Bob Run Winter Sports

Switzerland Villars Palace Hotel gilt silver medal early Bobsleigh Coupe de Leman Bob Run by Huguenin,  Villars Winter Sports

30mm, in box of issue

12.32g,  0.800 silver then gilt.

The Villars Palace Hotel near St Moritz was  one of the places where Winter sports originated  and was developed  before the establishment of the Winter Olympics.  The latter were first held in Chamonix in 1924.

• The Villars Bob Run: Villars-sur-Ollon was a pioneer in winter sports, home to one of the first bobsleigh tracks in Switzerland. The run was known for its technical layout and was a major stop for international competitions before the mid-20th century.
• Coupe de Léman: This competition was one of the prestigious cups held on the Villars track, often drawing teams from across Europe. Historical records from the early 1900s (circa 1912–1913) mention it alongside other major trophies like the Coupe du Président de la République and the Coupe du Mont Blanc.
• Legendary Teams: The same bobsleigh crews often competed across various tracks in the region (Chamonix, Leysin, and Villars), with records indicating that winners of the Villars events often went on to set speed records in Chamonix