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Ultra Pirineu - Luis and Nuria defend Kilian-Emelie duo


Emelie Forsberg, 2015 Transvulcania winner and Ultra Series leader. ©iancorless.com


A star cast will be preparing to do battle at the Ultra Pirineu representing the finals of the Skyrunner® Ultra Series, Saturday in the Spanish Pyrenees. The dream team line-up will see the Kilian-Emelie duo racing together again – each facing the strongest competition in the field, past winners Luis Alberto Hernando and Nuria Picas.


Kilian Jornet returns to his roots to race the new version of the renowned Cavalls del Vent which he won in 2012 and represented the first long distance race he competed in seven years ago. Since 2012, the course has undergone a number of changes in distance and elevation gain to reach the current 110 km with 6,800 vertical climb of the new 2015 Ultra Pirineu.


Kilian Jornet, 2014 Transvulcania.©Jordi Saragossa


Four-time race winner Nuria Picas describes it as “the reason for my existence as an athlete”.  Emelie Forsberg came 3rd to Nuria in 2012. It was Emelie's first long-distance race and, given her World Champion Ultra title, European Ultra title and ranking leadership, she’s come a long way and represents a formidable challenge. Whatever the outcome of Saturday’s race, Emelie has already bagged the Ultra title after four straight wins at Transvulcania, Ice-Trail, Tromsø and The Rut.


The women’s competition includes Nepal’s Mira Rai, currently ranked 2nd, who won the Mont-Blanc 80K and came second to Emelie at Tromsø, hot on their heels, Spaniard Anna Comet Pascua (4th), Czech Anna Strakova, Ester Alves from Portugal and Russian Natalia Nescheret as well as strong Spanish runners Gemma Arenas and Roser Espanol.


Luis Alberto Hernando, ITT winner.©iancorless.com


The Ultra title in the men’s field is still open and will depend on the results which, being the finals, add an extra 20% to the ranking points. Luis Alberto Hernando’s credentials are outstanding and the Ultra title could add to his achievements: 2014 World Champion, 2015 European Champion, 2nd at UTMB and twice race winner here, he’s currently ranked 3rd.


Italy’s Franco Collé now heads the ranking after his recent win at The Rut. Can he bag the title? Another strong candidate is Spain’s Cristofer Clemente was second to Franco at The Rut and is now in 2nd position on the ranking.


Nuria Picas, winner Ultra Pirineu 2014.©Elena Mate


Top contenders for the podium include Spaniards Miguel Heras, Pablo Villa, Jessed Hernandez, Miguel Caballero, Pau Capell, Yeray Duran


The town of Bagà will light up with 2,800 runners from 40 countries congregating for the weekend’s three events with 600 runners taking part in the Ultra Pirineu – another legend in the making?


Mira Rai, 2015 Mont-Blanc 80K winner. © Kirsten Kortebein


Alpina Watches, Official Watch of the 2015 Skyrunner® World Series will award a luxury Horological Smartwatch, the first of its kind on the market, to each of the Ultra Series champions.


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*Updated 16 September, 2015