Hasta La Ideas

Designer Peter Olaf with (from left) the 2012, 2013, and 2011 Tour de France trophies.

The 100th Tour de France wrapped up yesterday in a spectacular “jubilee” burst of yellow near the Champs-Élysées finish line, where Kenyan-born Briton Chris Froome added to what’s proving to be a banner summer for the United Kingdom (see also: Andy Murray at Wimbledon, the highly awaited Baby Prince). In addition to the yellow jersey, Froome was presented with a hand-cut crystal trophy from Czech-based Lasvit.

Since 2011, designer Peter Olaf has masterminded the series of hand-blown, hand-cut trophies, which are produced for the overall winner, best under-25 rider, best sprinter, and best climber. Each trophy, the product of hours of sizzling glassmaking toil, is over two feet tall and weighs almost eight pounds, according to Lasvit. Among the special touches for the 100th Tour is a layer of opal glass that was ground using wedge-shaped cutters, revealing the crystal underneath and producing a decorative design with a strict, geometric shape.

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