2014 World Ranking races announced |
Building on the 2012 and 2013 race selections, the ISF announces 71 races on which the 2014 World Ranking will be based: 14 Vertical, 21 Sky and 36 Ultras in 18 countries and five continents. The élite ranking is based on a consolidated formula also used in other sports but for the first time, adapted to mountain courses. The formula also comprises an exclusive ISF algorithm which takes into consideration factors such as the number of élite athletes participating and the winners’ advantage over the other top finishers. The three best results in each category are counted with a correction factor for races with at least five élite athletes from the current year’s ranking present. Of the three disciplines, the Ultras count the most siginificant increase in numbers, from 20 to 36. This is due to the fact that many athletes from different countries want to compete in a strong international field. Out of ten selected races (amounting to 28% of the total), the United States registers the greatest increase, confirming their position as one of the major players in the ultra distances. |