Marvellous Mont-Blanc Marathon – it’s records all round |
American bombshell Stevie Kremer smashed the course record by 24 minutes and arrived 18th overall at the second Sky Series race in Chamonix Sunday, while the men’s race was another spectacular duel between Kilian Jornet and Marco De Gasperi. The two were neck and neck pushing each other right up till the final ascent of the 42 km course, when Jornet changed gear and pulled away from De Gasperi to close in 3h30’41”, just one minute ahead. Records fell in both fields with the top three men finishing under Jornet’s 2012 time of 3h38’24”. Luis Alberto Hernando was third man in five minutes later, followed by Italy’s Nicola Golinelli, 4th and Erik-Dagssøn Haugsnes from Norway, 5th, (3rd in Friday’s KM Vertical after Jornet). The women’s race was dominated by Kremer, only 90” ahead of world champion and ranking leader Emelie Forsberg in the first 10 km, but steadily gained on her with a 3’ lead 15 km into the race. Forsberg suffered with stomach problems and the gap grew to 22’ with Kremer closing in an incredible 4h03’20” (18th overall) and Forsberg in 4h25’12”. Frenchwoman Celine Lafaye was third in 4h35’00”. Anna Frost, in her first big race of the season after a long period of injury, was a happy 6th. Strong competition was supplied by a tight-knit group in the men’s field early on with Jornet, De Gasperi, Tofol Castanyer (who pulled with an injury), Nicola Golinelli, Greg Vollet (DNF) and Florian Reichert. The extremely high level of the field was demonstrated by the top 15 finishing just half an hour behind Jornet. “Racing Marco always pushes me”, commented Jornet, who waited for his sparring partner to arrive before greeting him and turning round to face the press - together. The magnificent course and world-class competition represent a foretaste of the Skyrunning World Championships to be held here next year – including the new 80K Ultra, the first time this distance will be disputed in the championships. Race results
Men 1. Kilian Jornet (ESP) – Salomon Santiveri – 3h30’41” 2. Marco De Gasperi (ITA) – Scott – 3h31’42” 3. Luis Alberto Hernando (ESP) – adidas – 3h36’14” 4. Nicola Golinelli (ITA) – Arc’teryx – 3h43’02” 5. Erik-Dagssøn Haugsnes (NOR) – Il Pioner – 3h47’59” Women 1. Stevie Kremer (USA) – Salomon Agisko – 4h03’16” 2. Emelie Forsberg (SWE) – 4h25’10” 3. Celine Lafaye (FRA) – Scott – 4h35’00” 4. Silvia Serafini (ITA) – Salomon Agisko – 4h37’57” 5. Ragna Debats (NED) – FEEC - 4h44'10"
Sky Series provisional ranking
Men 1. Kilian Jornet - 200 2. Luis Alberto Hernando - 176 3. Marco De Gasperi - 88 Women 1. Emelie Forsberg -188 2. Stevie Kremer –178 3. Silvia Serafini – 138 / Celine Lafaye 138
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