Jean-Baptiste Grange of France and Veronika Zuzulova of Slovakia hold the distinction of being the first champions of the European Ski Federation after winning indoor slalom races at Amneville, France.

Grange marched though the elimination format taking out teammate Stephane Tissot in the round of 16, Thomas Koenig in the quarter finals and Manfred Moelgg in the semi-final match before his final match-up with Christof Innerhofer. Grange got the win by .24 of a second. The closest match of the day was for the three and four spot where Moelgg edged Marc Gini by .06.

Organizers in Europe plan to take skiing indoors next month, when Olympic slalom champion Benjamin Raich will face French rival Jean-Baptiste Grange and other challengers in a new European championship.

Organizers from Austria, France, Switzerland and Italy revealed plans yesterday to hold slalom races for men and women on an indoor slalom course in Amnéville, France, on Nov. 7.

Organizers said they have registered 80 skiers from 12 nations.