Dolomites Skyrace – RACE IMAGES

Posted on July 21, 2013 by talkultra

Dolomites Skyrace IMAGES – Quick Selection

Posted on July 21, 2013 by talkultra

ISF

Dolomites Vertical Kilometer 2013 – Race Images

Posted on July 19, 2013 by talkultra

Dolomites Vertical Kilometer, 2013 Race Summary

Posted on July 19, 2013 by talkultra

Just 12 hours before the start of the Dolomites Vertical Kilometer, Canazei was under heavy rain and thunderstorms. As we all looked up to the summit finish, the same thought passed through each end every mind; I hope it clears up for tomorrow!

Clear up it did and on the stroke of 10am, the Vertical Kilometer opened the 2013 ISF Skyrunning European Championships. Covering 1000 vertical meters in just 2.4km, Canazei is regarded as one of the toughest vk’s on the circuit and it most certainly did not disappoint.

A last minute entry from Saul Antonio Padua, winner of the VK in Mont Blanc added some last minute spice. He was here to win, no doubt, but he wasn’t going to have it easy. Kilian Jornet fresh from another victory, this time at the Ice Trail Tarentaise was looking in great form. Urban Zemmer who had a disappointing run at Mont Blanc was here to put the record straight and this course would suit his brute force. Tadei Pivk, fourth at Zegama would also be a contender, Augusti Roc and Kilian’s Chamonix-Mont Blanc-Chamonix buddy; Matheo Jacquemond would also be pushing at the front.

From the gun, Saul Antonio Padua placed his cards on the table and dictated the pace closely followed by all the contenders. Bent double, each and every runner battled the gradients. But Saul Antonio seemed to be too keen for the win… slowing from his effort, Urban Zemmer went past him and pushed hard. Closely followed Philip Gotsch and of course, Kilian Jornet. With 300m to go they were lined out moving in harmony, right leg, left leg as both arms worked together as though connected by a brace to help provide the force through poles to get up the gradient as fast as possible.

Through the large inflatable arch at the Col, Kilian Jornet made his move, sprinting past the two contenders for the crown he produced an all out effort, relegating Zemmer to second and Gotsch to third.

The ladies started five minutes after the men and pre race favorite and 2012 winner, Antonella Confortola took the lead. Two poles outstretched in front of her she powered herself up the 1000m of elevation. If you ever need an example of how to use poles, watch Antonella.

Emelie Forsberg is relatively new to VK but her all around ability and strength was shining through, her victory at last weeks Ice Trail Tarentaise was causing her no problems as she pursued Antonella. Iva Milesova was a surprise third place very closely pursued by Silvia Serafini. The first two podium places were guaranteed barring a disaster but the third place was up for grabs, could Silvia put in a surge and make up ground in the final 100-150 meters. A final turn confronted each participant with a vertical wall of grass. Iva surged as Silvia surged and the gap was held, the final podium place be rewarded to Iva Milesova.

Attention now turns to Sunday and the Sky Race. Many VK runners will toe the line in Canazei come Sunday morning, will they have recovered and who are your predictions?

Spain and Italy head the European Skyrunning Championship with Kilian Jornet and Antonella Confortola doing the honours.

The final European Skryunning ranking is based on the sum of the highest points scored in two out of three events. The national title is based on the score of the first three men and one woman in all three events.

Follow Sunday’s second championship event with the Dolomites SkyRace® – a fast and technical 22 km course, it rises from Canazei to the 3,152m summit of the Piz Boè and back. Snow will be among the technical features the all-star line up will look forward to – for some of the eighteen countries participating, a first.

RESULTS

Kilian Jornet 32:43 – SPA – * new course record
Urban Zemmer 32:50 – ITA
Philip Gotsch 32:54 – ITA

Antonella Confortola 41:02 – ITA
Emelie Forsberg 43:01 – SWE
Iva Milesova 43:09 – CZE

Vertical medal count

1. Italy 314 points

2. Spain 268 points

3. France 240 points

Full race results

More information at http://www.skyrunning.com

Trans D’Havet course recce days

Posted on July 18, 2013 by talkultra

Download PDF information document HERE

Dowbload full Trans D’Havet race route map HERE

Tuesday July 23^rd.

Depart Tourist Office IAT Recoaro, Piazza Amedeo di Savoia : 0930am
Depart for Reconnaissance: 1030am
Return to Tourist Office IAT Recoaro, Piazza Amedeo di Savoia

First part, from 11 Monte Novegno (A.S.2) to 25 Campogrosso (A.S.5), total KM 27, possible stops in 16 Passo Xomo (A.S.3) and in 22 Pian delle Fugazze (A.S.4)

Wednesday July 24^th

Depart Tourist Office IAT Recoaro, Piazza Amedeo di Savoia 0930am
Depart for Reconnaissance: 1030am
Return to Tourist Office IAT Recoaro, Piazza Amedeo di Savoia

From 25 Campogrosso (A.S. 5) to 40 Malga Rialto (some 8 km from the finish) some 25 km, possible stops to cut down in 32 passo della lora or 34 passo ristele and down to rifugio battisti (cut from 34 passo ristele and down to rifugio battisti seems the most logical)

Participants must be self-sufficient and carry ‘mandatory’ safety equipment for the mountains and possess enough liquid and food for the duration of the reconnaissance.

Mandatory Equipment

Pack/ Waist belt
1ltr minimum liquid, preferably 2ltr
Food/ gels
Hat
Gloves
Rain protection
Sunglasses
Whistle
Phone

Please contact:

info@skyrunning.com to confirm if you would like to attend, places are limited

PLEASE NOTE on Thursday July 25th at 1500 we have arranged an ‘Introduction to Skyrunning’ – it will include an interview with Salomon athlete, Philipp Reiter followed by a Q&A. In addition, ISF President, Marino Giacometti and Dr Roi (Sky Doc) will discuss Skyrunning followed with Q&A. Information HERE

Timothy Olson – Western States video

Posted on July 18, 2013 by talkultra

I am super stoked to share this video of Western States 2013. My amazing Parent in-laws filmed and edited, spending many hours! Bob spent all day filming at Western before and after. Debbie spent countless nights editing and putting this together. I’m blessed to have such a loving and caring family who enjoys the sport just as much as I do. Thank you both for all you do, I’m beyond grateful!

I hope you all enjoy the video!

cheers!

YouTube HERE

Timothy Olson website HERE

The North Face HERE

Intro to Skyrunning with Philipp Reiter at Trans d’Havet

Posted on July 17, 2013 by talkultra

SKYRUNNING EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

An introduction to Skyrunning

with special guest, Salomon athlete, PHILIPP REITER

Venue

Camprogrosso Recoaro Terme, Vicenza, Italy

‘Gino Solda’ Recreation Centre tel: +3904575030 www.rifugiocampogrosso.com

Following on from the Dolomites SkyRace® on the 21^st, five days’ activities and fun-packed action are being organised for runners who want to stay over for the Trans d’Havet. In addition to two days reconnaissance of sections of the Trans d’Havet course on July 23^rd and 24^th, an introduction to Skyrunning has been arranged with Salomon athlete, Philipp Reiter, ISF President Marino Giacometti, Sky Doc, Doctor Roi and Talk Ultra host, Ian Corless.

Taking place at 1500 hours on July 25^th

Places are FREE but limited, please confirm attendance by emailing info@skyrunning.com

SCHEDULE

14:45 to 1500 arrival

15:00 Welcome and introduction

15:10 Philipp Reiter interviewed by Ian Corless

16;00 Q&A opportunities with audience

16:30 Marino Giacometti and Sky Doc

17:15 Final Q&A

17:30 Close

NB: the event will be hosted in English with translation available

Topics to be discussed

The definition of Skyrunning, environment and history

Physiological parameters, training and recovery

Medical test in collaboration with University of Padova

Skyrunning to Ultra – technique and equipment

Notes:

Philipp Reiter is an incredible talent, Philipp has recently won the Zugspitze 100km race, placed 3^rd at Ice Trail Tarentaise and he has adorned podiums all over the world. Coming from a Ski Mountaineering background, Philipp is one of the new stars of Skyrunning.

Marino Giacometti President of the ISF, an Italian mountaineer who, with a handful of fellow climbers, pioneered records and races on Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa in the Italian Alps in the early ‘90’s. In 1993, with the support of the multinational Fila as sponsor, Skyrunning took off across the world’s mountain ranges with a circuit of awe inspiring races stretching from the Himalayas to the Rockies, from Mount Kenya to the Mexican volcanoes. After all, Giacometti’s term skyrunning*, as the name suggests, is where earth and sky meet.

Dr Roi (Sky Doc) graduated in Medicine from the University of Milan, where he specialised (residency) in Sports Medicine. He is a founder of the International Skyrunning Federation (IFS) and well known as “Skydoctor”. He published scientific papers on sports medicine and particularly on physiological aspects of running at altitude and endurance events also for transplanted patients. He was temporary professor of Biomechanics at the Faculty of Motor Sciences of Milan and presently is temporary professor of Functional Recovery at the University of Verona. He is currently the director of the Education and Research Department of the Isokinetic Medical Group in Bologna (Italy), mainly involved in functional recovery of injured professional and amateur athletes.

Ian Corless is an ex cyclist, triathlete and now runner. He is the host and creative director of an ultra running podcast, Talk Ultra. He also runs a very successful website, iancorless.com that provides up to the minute news and imagery from the ultra and Skyrunning world. Ian works closely with Skyrunning and is a media partner for all events.

Skyrunning HERE

Trans d’Havet HERE

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Ice Trail Tarentaise, video Aiguille Pers

Posted on July 16, 2013 by talkultra

If you wondered what it was like at the Ice Trail Tarentaise, this short video will give you a no fills insight to the Aiguille Pers summit.

CE TRAIL Tarentaise – Val d’Isère 2013 – Aiguille Pers
BAB (Bout à Bout)
filmé par: Ludovic Rolandone
postproduction Alex Covaci
Une Production Radio-TV Val d’Isère
©Tous droits réservés

YouTube HERE

Skyrunning European Championships

Posted on July 16, 2013 by talkultra

The ice at Ice Trail Tarentaise hasn’t even melted and just 48 hours later we ae looking ahead to the third edition of the European Skyrunning Championships which start this coming Friday, the 19th. with the Vertical Kilometer®. The series of events will have seven world champions representing sixteen nations.

Please Note:

A course recce for Trans D’Havet will take place on Tuesday July 23rd and Wednesday July 24th. You can download a PDF document with information HERE

On July 25th at 1500 we will have an introduction to Skyrunning with Salomon athlete, Philipp Reiter. This will involve a ‘live’ interview followed with Q&A and then ISF President, Marino Giacometti and Dr Roi (Sky Doc) will provide a small talk and answer questions. Information available HERE

Schedule:

Vertical
Dolomites Vertical Kilometer®, Canazei, Trento, July 19
Sky
Dolomites SkyRace®, Canazei, Trento, July 21
Ultra
Trans d’Havet, 80k, Piovene R, Piccole Dolomiti, Vicenza – July 27

The Dolomites will again host two of the events in the three-year history of the Championships. The record on the unforgiving Vertical Kilometer® course just 2,1 km long, stands at 33’16” by world record holder Italian Urban Zemmer and Antonella Confortola in 39’13” back in 2008 when the course was inaugurated.

The classic Dolomites SkyRace® favoured by the world’s top runners offers a new challenge after record-breaking performances here this year by Kilian Jornet in 2h01’52”, and the three top women, Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg, American Kasie Enman and Spaniard Mireia Mirò – all under record time. Forsberg’s record stands at 2h26’00”. The challenging and often technical course represents one of the toughest proving grounds for the relatively short distance: 22 km but with 1,750m climb to the summit of the Piz Boè which, at 3,152m altitude, towers above the start and finish of the race in Canazei.

The much anticipated Ultra is embodied by the Trans d’Havet, a point to point 80 km long with 5,500m vertical climb traversing the Piccole Dolomiti in the Veneto Region. The route, technical in stretches, includes 6 km of tunnels dating back to the First World War, created by General D’Havet, to whose name the race is dedicated. At the launch this year, the men’s winning time was 10h58’44”, no doubt destined to fall with the top European runners participating here in 2013.

Participants

Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg will test their powers of recovery and just five days after impressive victories in what many are now considering an iconic Skyrunning race, the Ice Trail Tarentaise, they will toe the line for all three events in the European Championships.

It is going to be difficult to bet against them, certainly Kilian has the ability, powers of recovery and experience to top the podium in all three events. However, Luis Alberto Hernando has pushed Kilian close in three events already in 2013 and he will most certainly be keen to move one place on the podium higher.

Nuria Picas missed Ice Trail Tarentaise so that she could save all her energy for the ultra race, she desires the Euoropean Championship crown and keeping in mind Emelie Forsberg’s recent calendar and the fact that she will have participated in the VK and Sky race the weekend before, one has to say that Nuria may well be the favourite for the Trans d’Havet race.

Michel Lanne joint winner of the Mont Blanc Mrathon Ultra race will almost certainly be a hot favourite at Trans d’Havet along with an in-form Philipp Rieter who took third place at Ice Trail Tarentaise.

The Sky distance race will be extremely competitive, Nicola Golinelli (4^th Mont-Blanc Marathon) Florian Reichert (9th at Mont Blanc), Tadei Pivk (3rd at Zegama), Matheo Jaquemoud, Augusto Roc (three time world champion), Didier Zago and Dimitris Theodrakakos will go head-to-head for the title.

However, so will Kilian Jornet. On this course, I don’t see Kilian loosing, however today, 17th July, we have had confirmation that Kilian’s favourite sparring partner, Marco De Gasperi will toe the line. Not only is this great news for the race but it is great news for us. No doubt after the head-to-head battle at Mont Blanc we will see a repeat performance on the slopes os Canazei.

The ladies Sky race will be equally competitive with Emelie Forsberg, Celine Lafaye (2nd Mont Blanc), Maite Mayora Elizondo and Silvia Serafini as strong favourites. However, nobody will have an easy run with strong competiton coming from Zhanna Voueva, Laura Orgue, Stephanie Jiminez, Ragna Debats to name but a few.

Maite Mayora Elizondo at Haria Extreme

The Vertical at Canazei is regarded as one of the toughest. It is incredibly steep, to put this in perspective, even Kilian Jornet used ‘poles’ in 2012. Without doubt Kilian is a strong favourite but the men’s field has real quality and ‘VK’ specialists; Urban Zemmer will lead the charge for the title, closely followed by Marco Facchinelli, Tadei Pivk, Didier Zago, and Augusti Roc.

Antonella Confortola will be the hot favourite for the ladies. Emelie Fosberg will push hard but she is still learning in the VK as is Zhana Vokueva. Tessa Hill from the UK is slowly becoming a VK specialist and she stated at Mont Blanc that she was already seeing a progression from her 2012 form. The ever present Corinne Favre is always a contender, as is Laura Orgue. Sivia Serafini, Celine Lafaye, Maite Mayora Elizondo and Ragna Debats will double up with the Sky race and have every possibility to make the podium in both races.

Antonella Confortola

To date, the sixteen countries entered are: Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden.

The winning formula? Easy: the European Skyrunning Championships are open with individual titles at stake in each discipline. Ranking is based on the sum of the highest points scored in two out of three events. The national title is based on the score of the first three men and one woman in all three events.

Links:

Skyrunning HERE

Coverage and imagery will be provided by iancorless.com via Facebook Talk Ultra and Twitter

Ice Trail Tarentaise Race Report

Posted on July 15, 2013 by talkultra

Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg excel at the ISF Skyrunning Ice Trail Tarentaise. With over 60 km’s above 2000m altitude and with a highest point of 3653m at ‘Grande Motte’ this is a race not to be taken lightly. Memories of the Tour de France flood into my mind when I discuss this region, however, other than the highest paved mountain pass at the ‘Col de L’Iseran’ at 2770m, no bicycles will be seen.

The Tarentaise valley and the Ice Trail Tarentaise in many respects personify what Kilian Jornet has been pursuing for years, the term ‘Alpinism’ is often perceived as climbing but it is so much more. Traversing glaciers, ascending and descending summits such as ‘Aiguille Pers’ at 3386 m, participants in the 2013 Ice Trail Tarentaise will no doubt had a full appreciation of what Kilian and others like him strive for when they coin the term, Skyrunning. You see, Skyrunning is Alpinism but without the clutter, it’s about being light and moving fast.

Val D’Isère, 0400 on Sunday 14^th July, 600+ runners departed for one of the most challenging races they would ever experience. With a total distance of 65km’s, 5000m+ positive gain and over 60% of the course in snow, the race would ultimately be the most challenging Skyrunning race ever encountered by all the participants.

The 2012 race winner, Francois D’Haene dictated the early pace with Rickey Gates and Kilian Jornet. At Tignes after following a river trail and an early climb the field was already spreading out. Emelie Forsberg had opened a gap on the female competition and was already pulling away.

Darkness was now being replaced by the arrival of a new day and blue skies, temperatures started to rise but temperatures did drop to as low as -3deg on the first big challenge of the day, the Grande Motte at 3653m, this would see participants climb 1800m in under10km. The ascent included traversing a glacier (YakTrax compulsory) and then a 70deg climb that included sections of Via Ferrata. At the summit, km17, Kilian, Francois and Rickey continued to establish a lead over a chasing Fulvio Dapit and Philipp Reiter.

Christel Dewalle and Ronda dels Cims winner, Francesca Canepa pursued Emelie Forsberg but the pattern was set for the whole race. Emelie was in her element, and although she said post race that it was the hardest race she had ever done, she also admitted that she loved every step of it, ‘this is pure Skyrunning, it is what I love about this sport, the ability to combine mountains, snow, running and ice to combine together in one of the most challenging sports’.

The descent from Col Fours at 2976m to Pont Neige at 2530m now had Francois D’Haene and Kilian Jornet establishing a lead over the rest of the field that would not be relinquished. A small section of road and a right turn at Cascade ultimately proved to be one of the hardest sections of the course. Climbing from 2700m to the Col Pers at 3009m and then Pointe Pers 3386m resulted in many runners failing to meet cut-off times or drop with fatigue at Cascade. Marcus Warner from Ultra168 said, ‘that broke peoples spirits, I have buried the feeling it created; I had to look inside and decide if I wanted to put myself through it. However, I found that inner strength and moved on. The terrain was hard pack snow on the north side to waist deep soft snow. It sucked life from within me, the final 300m was a treadmill of slate and scree, I felt I was going nowhere’.

At the iconic Col de L’Iseran, the highest road in Europe the final challenge awaited, the 300m ascent to the Tunnel Lessieres at km56. It was in the final stages of this climb on the tough and technical rock section that Kilian moved ahead of Francois and pulled away to take another incredible win. Emelie Forsberg looked relaxed and comfortable, her lead was convincing and a victory was guaranteed. Christel and Francesca continued to hold second and third place and this format would not change to the finish line.

The 2013 ISF Skyrunning Ice Trail Tarentaise will be remembered in years to come as an iconic day in Skyrunning history. Along with Zegama-Aizkorri, Trofeo Kima and Canazei in the Dolomites, the ‘ITT’ will become a flagship event. It will test elites and non-elite runners to the limit and as many said post race, ‘km for km, that is the hardest race I have ever done’