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’

RACE PHOTOGRAPHY HERE

RACE START IMAGES HERE

PRE RACE IMAGES HERE

PRE RACE INTERVIEW with EMELIE FORSBERG HERE

Men:

Kilian Jornet (Salomon) 07:35:32 new course record
Francois D’Haene (Salomon) 07:40:13
Philipp Reiter (Salomon) 08:12:38

Ladies:

Emelie Forsberg (Salomon) 09:11:11 new course record (and 10th overall)
Christel Dewalle (Terre de Running) 10:08:58
Francesca Canepa (Team Montura/Vibram) 10:31:59

Links:

FULL RESULTS HERE

Skyrunning HERE

Ice Trail Tarentaise HERE

Ice Trail Tarentaise – Race Day Images

Posted on July 14, 2013 by talkultra

Ice Trail Tarentaise – Race Start Images

Posted on July 14, 2013 by talkultra

Emelie Forsberg, Ice Trail Tarentaise pre race interview

Posted on July 13, 2013 by talkultra

Emelie Forsberg has already had an incredible start to 2013. She was crowned winner of Transvulcania La Palma, she won Zegama-Aizkorri, placed second at Mont Blanc Marathon and only days ago set a ladies record for running Chamonix-Mont Blanc-Chamonix in 8hrs 10min.

On Sunday, July 14th, Emelie toes the line at the incredibly tough, Ice Trail Tarentaise. Now an ISF Skyrunning event and part of the Skyrunner world series she talks about her excitement to race on this course.

YouTube HERE

Links:

Emelie Forsberg HERE

Salomon Running HERE

Ice Trail Tarentaise HERE

Skyrunning HERE

Ice Trail Tarentaise 2013 – Pre race images and photo shoot

Posted on July 13, 2013 by talkultra

Now part of the Skyrunner World Series, the Ice Trail Tarentaise will see a return of the 2012 winner, Francois D’Haene compete against Kilian Jornet, Philipp Reiter, Rickey Gates, Nico Valsesia, Jordi Bes Ginesta, Nicolas Pianet and Vincent Delaberre. For the ladies, the reigning champion, Anne Valero will not defend her title but don’t worry; the ladies field is extremely competitive. Emelie Forsberg, Anna Frost, Francesca Canepa and Shona Stephenson will do battle on the glaciers and peaks of the ‘Tarentaise’; only one will be crowned the ice queen.

Hardrock 100 preview

Posted on July 12, 2013 by talkultra

Joe Grant, Cavalls del Vent 2012 copyright iancorless.com

So many races, so little time. No sooner am I back from three weeks travelling around the Canaries, Spain, Italy and France covering races and I am back in France for Ice Trail Tarentaise and then the Skyrunning European Championships in Canazei, the Dolomites. Don’t get me wrong; I absolutely love what I do. But it can be difficult to keep up… of course Western States occurred while I was travelling, I did manage to preview that and now as I am sitting in Italy to head to Val D’Isère, Hardrock 100 is due to start. So, here is a preview.

Just a week ago the race looked as though it may have problems due to wildfires. However, the fires subsided and the race is on. In comparison to previous years, the route appears to have less snow, so a faster time may well be a possibility. Although the race has a quality field, it ultimately looks like a two horse race in both the men’s and ladies races.

Joe Grant is returning after second place last year and sacrificed participation in Ronda dels Cims to make sure he is in the best possible shape to win. He had an awful run at Transvulcania in May after picking up a bug that would appear to have leaped around many of the elite runners staying at the same hotel. A bug that took Anton Krupicka out of the race. Joe dedicated late 2012 and early 2013 to the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a super long race in freezing temperatures pulling a sled. He should be well recovered now and I am sure the benefits of that race will come to the fore at Hardrock 100.

Sebastien Chaigneau, TNFUTMB 2012 copyright iancorless.com

Last minute entrant, Sebastian Chaigneau has wanted to run this race for some time and he finally gets his chance. Always a tough competitor, this long, hard and gnarly course will work to his strengths and I think you will see Joe and Seb battle at the front of the race. Joe has two advantages; he has done the race before and he will also be more adapted to the altitude. It will be a compelling race to watch.

Speedgoat is returning, like Joe he knows this course like the back of his hand. He had a few problems early this year with a niggling calf but despite all logic, he turned up at Western States just a few weeks ago and still pulled off tenth place. Possibly the most experienced 100 miler on the planet, you can never rule Karl Meltzer out!

Jared Campbell at Ronda dels Cims copyright iancorless.com

Jared Campbell needs no introduction; he loves races that are tough gnarly and a challenge. He recently raced the super tough 177km Ronda dels Cims and finished 7^th. When I interviewed him the day after the race he looked fresh and trouble free. Ronda took him nearly 34 hours and that has to leave some fatigue in the body, however, I think we will see him improve on his 13^th overall at Hardrock 100 in 2012.

Scott Jamie is an experienced Hardrocker (does that term exist). Anyway, he has finished in the top ten five times with a best overall placing of second. He appears to be in good shape with a recent win at Antelope Island Buffalo run.

Other male contenders:

Ted Mahon
Troy Howard
Chris Price
Nick Coury
Jamil Coury

LADIES

Diana Finkel was out front last year and dominating the race. Karl Meltzer sums it up when he says, ‘Diana is the best in the business on these long tough courses, and she can hike really quick’. However, she dropped at just over 80 miles last year due to ongoing health issues that she needs to monitor. It was very much a safety precaution and the correct call. Diana will be gunning for the top of the podium and if her health remains positive, I think we will see her in the no1 slot in the ladies race… don’t rule her out for the ‘overall’ too!

Last years winner, Darcy Africa returns and will be looking for a repeat performance. When Diana dropped in 2012 she was 1 hour behind, so, Darcy will need to up her game a little if she wants to remain in contention in 2013. It’s going to be an exciting battle.

Other female contenders:

Sarah McCloskey
Darla Askew
Betsy Kalmeyer
Betsy Nye

RACE WEBSITE HERE

Episode 39 – Nikki Kimball, Nick Clark, Alex Nichols, Florian Reichert

Posted on July 12, 2013 by talkultra

Nick Clark returns for Clarky’s Corner with an update on his Western States and a look ahead to his next 100 in the Grand Slam. We have an interview with Ultra Running legend, Nikki Kimball about her running career and another podium finish at Western States. Alex Nichols talks Mont Blanc Marathon and in Talk Training we speak with Florian Reichert about the transition from road running to trail and mountains.

00:00:00

00:00:45 INTRO

00:09:21 NEWS

Western States

Pam Smith (La Sportiva) – 18:37:21
Nikki Kimball (The North Face) – 19:21:43
Amy Sproston (Montrail) – 19:25:11
Meghan Arbogast (SCOTT Sports) – 19:30:50
Rory Bosio (The North Face) – 19:52:09
Aliza Lapierre (Salomon) – 20:04:46
Emily Harrison (AdiUltra) – 20:28:40
Denise Bourassa (Patagonia) – 21:44:37
Leila Degrave (Inov-8) – 21:59:26
Abby McQueeney Penamonte – 22:36:29

Timothy Olson (The North Face) – 15:17:27
Rob Krar – 15:22:05
Mike Morton (Allied Van Lines) – 15:45:21
Ian Sharman (SCOTT Sports) – 16:20:25
Dylan Bowman (Pearl Izumi) – 16:32:18
Nick Clark (Pearl Izumi) – 16:56:23
Jesse Haynes (INKnBURN) – 17:44:36
Paul Terranova – 17:56:29
Yassine Diboun (Inov-8) – 18:44:02
Karl Meltzer (Hoka One One) – 18:51:55

00:21:27 CLARKEYS CORNER –Nick Clark ran the 2013 Western States and now lines up for his second 100 in the Grand Slam just a few weeks later.

Mont Blanc Marathon

Men

1° Kilian Jornet 3h30’41 NEW COURSE RECORD

2° Marco De Gasperi 3h31’42

3° Luis-Alberto Hernando-Alzaga 3h36’14

Ladies

1° Stevie Kremer 4h03’16 NEW COURSE RECORD

2° Emelie Forsberg 4h25’10

3° Céline Lafaye 4h35

00:40:37 INTERVIEW with Alex Nichols

Vetical Kilometer

Men

1. Saul Antonio Padua (COL) – 34’34”

2. Kilian Jornet (ESP) – Salomon – 34’53”

3. Erik-Dagssøn Haugsnes (NOR) – Il Pioner – 35’02”

4. Alexy Sevennec-Verdier (FRA) – Crazyonisag – 35’10”

5. Urban Zemmer (ITA) – La Sportiva – 35’40”

Women

1. Christel Dewalle (FRA) – Team Terre de Running – 41’33”

2. Laura Orgué (ESP) – Salomon Santiveri – 42’53”

3. Antonella Confortola (ITA) – Salomon – 42’55”

4. Emelie Forsberg (SWE) – Salomon – 44’55”

5. Tessa Hill (GBR) – Arc’teryx – 45’39”

Lavaredo Ultra Trail

Mens:

1. Spehler Sebastien 07:39:35

2. Wolfe Mike 08:13:47

3. Geronazzo Ivan 08:14:15

Ladies:

1. Cheryl Beatty 09.31.09

2. Federica Boifava 09.54.56

3. Lizzie Wraith 09.57.14

World Trail Championships

Gold – Ricky Lightfoot (Great Britain and NI) 5:36:03
Silver – Florian Neuschwander (Germany) 5:45:16
Bronze – Julien Rancon (France) 5:54:21

Gold – Nathalie Mauclair (France) 6:38:45
Silver – Aurelia Truel (France) 6:55:51
Bronze – Maria Chiara Parigi (Italy) 7:00:30

Dodo Trail 50k in Mauritius

Rene Paul Vitry 5:39:30
Vishal Ittoo 5:46:36
Fabrice Armand 5:48:06

Cecile Ciman 7:15:03
Marie Noelle Bourgeois 7:23:46
Helene Haegel 7:39:40

01:15:51 BLOGS – Dylan Bowman – Western States http://dylanbowman.com/2013/07/western-states-100/

‘My race was playing out perfectly. The early morning miles were appropriately subdued and I had the pleasure of sharing time with many men whom I idolize and consider to be good friends. Shortly after Red Star Ridge, Rob Krar and I fell into a similar pace and remained together for virtually all of the ensuing 45 miles. In my mind, we were executing things perfectly – sitting behind the lead pack early before methodically and intentionally moving through the field in the middle third of the race.’

01:17:00 TALK TRAINING –On this weeks talk training we speak with Arc’teryx and inov-8 athlete Florian Reichert about his transition from middle distance and road running to trail/ mountain running and his participation on the Skyrunning World Series

01:46:25 INTERVIEW –This week we speak to a legend of female ultra running, her Western States history alone sets her apart, she won the race in 2004, 2006 and 2007 and she was 4th in 2009, 3rd in 2010 and 2011, 5^th in 2012 and just this year placed 2nd.– Nikki Kimball

02:34:10 MELTZER MOMENT with Speedgoat Karl

02:37:37 RACES – Up and coming races for the next two weeks worldwide

Australia

Queensland

Kokoda Challenge | 96 kilometers | July 13, 2013 | website

Costa Rica

Maratón Internacional Challenge IRAZU – 62 km | 62 kilometers | July 21, 2013 | website

France

Aveyron

Tripou-Trail – 50 km | 50 kilometers | July 20, 2013 | website

Bas-Rhin

Trail du Pays Welche | 50 kilometers | July 14, 2013 | website

Corrèze

L’EDFi du Lac | 100 kilometers | July 13, 2013 | website

Le Tour du Cardant | 65 kilometers | July 13, 2013 | website

Finistère

100 km de Cléder | 100 kilometers | July 21, 2013 | website

Haute-Loire

Grand trail Stevenson – Course Individuels | 165 kilometers | July 12, 2013 | website

Grand trail Stevenson – Relais | 167 kilometers | July 12, 2013 | website

La Loire Integrale | 1025 kilometers | July 17, 2013 | website

Savoie

Ice Trail Tarentaise Val d’Isère | 65 kilometers | July 14, 2013 | website

la 6D Treck | 100 kilometers | July 24, 2013 | website

Ultra Trail du Beaufortain | 103 kilometers | July 20, 2013 | website

Germany

Rhineland-Palatinate

Bärenfels Ultra Trail | 64 kilometers | July 13, 2013 | website

India

La Ultra – The High | 222 kilometers | July 23, 2013 | website

La Ultra – The High 111 | 111 kilometers | July 23, 2013 | website

ZENchallenge Ladakh – 100K | 100 kilometers | July 21, 2013 | website

Mongolia

Mongolia Action Asia 3 day ultra 100km | 100 kilometers | July 20, 2013 | website

Mongolia Action Asia 3 day ultra marathons 60k | 60 kilometers | July 20, 2013 | website

South Africa

Griffin 50 Mile | 50 miles | July 20, 2013 | website

Washie 100 | 100 miles | July 19, 2013 | website

Spain

Basque Country

Ehunmilak | 168 kilometers | July 12, 2013 | website

G2handiak | 82 kilometers | July 12, 2013 | website

Turkey

RunFire Cappadocia Ultra Marathon | 220 kilometers | July 20, 2013 | website

United Kingdom

England

Fairlands Valley Challenge – 50km | 50 kilometers | July 21, 2013 | website

Lyke Wake Race | 42 miles | July 13, 2013 | website

The 50 Mile Challenge | 52 miles | July 26, 2013 | website

The Montane Lakeland 100 | 100 miles | July 26, 2013 | website

Scotland

Clyde Stride Ultra Marathon | 40 miles | July 13, 2013 | website

USA

Arkansas

Midnight 50K | 50 kilometers | July 20, 2013 | website

California

Badwater Ultramarathon | 135 miles | July 15, 2013 | website

Cuyamaca 3 Peaks 50K | 50 kilometers | July 13, 2013 | website

Colorado

Hardrock 100 Endurance Run | 100 miles | July 12, 2013 | website

Leadville Silver Rush 50 | 50 miles | July 14, 2013 | website

Kansas

Psycho Psummer 50K | 50 kilometers | July 13, 2013 | website

Montana

Devil’s Backbone 50 Miles | 50 miles | July 13, 2013 | website

Nevada

Tahoe Rim Trail 100M | 100 miles | July 20, 2013 | website

Tahoe Rim Trail 50K | 50 kilometers | July 20, 2013 | website

Tahoe Rim Trail 50M | 50 miles | July 20, 2013 | website

Oregon

Mt Hood Pacific Crest Trail Ultramarathon | 50 miles | July 13, 2013 | website

Pennsylvania

Viaduct Trail 150 Mile Ultramarathon | 150 miles | July 26, 2013 | website

South Carolina

Cremator 50 Mile Endurance Run | 50 miles | July 20, 2013 | website

Texas

El Scorcho | 50 kilometers | July 21, 2013 | website

‘The Shoe’ at Muleshoe Bend LCRA Park – 60k | 60 kilometers | July 13, 2013 | website

Vermont

Vermont 100k Endurance Race | 100 kilometers | July 20, 2013 | website

Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Race | 100 miles | July 20, 2013 | website

Washington

Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage | 190 miles | July 19, 2013 | website

Wisconsin

DWD Devil’s Lake 50K | 50 kilometers | July 13, 2013 | website

DWD Devil’s Lake 50M | 50 miles | July 13, 2013 | website

Wyoming

Happy Jack Endurance Races 100 Mile | 100 miles | July 13, 2013 | website

02:39:35 SHOW CLOSE

02:46:20 END

LINKS and DOWNLOADS:

ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073

Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss

Website – talkultra.com

Kilian Jornet’s Movescount for Chamonix-Mont Blanc-Chamonix

Posted on July 11, 2013 by talkultra

You can see images from his finish in Chamonix HERE

European Skyrunning Championships 2013

Posted on July 11, 2013 by talkultra

Italy will host the third edition of the biennial championships. The Vertical and Sky disciplines will take place in Canazei, Trento, on July 19 & 21. The Ultra distance, for the first a championship discipline – will be celebrated in Vicenza, on July 27. The skyrunning “hall of fame” is unveiled

The third edition of the European Skyrunning Championships kicks off in Italy with not just Europe’s best, but no less than seven world championsrepresenting sixteen nations. The events will mark the first European Ultra title, as well as the Vertical and Sky distances.

Taking on all three disciplines will be super-champs Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg, for whom only the sky is the limit. A number of other athletes will take on the three-race challenge but mostly the specialists are aiming for medals in their preferred categories.

The strong Spanish team includes 2011 Skyrunning World Champion Luis Alberto Hernando who will take on the Ultra with 2012 Ultra Champion Nuria Picas.

The twelve team members also include three-time World Champion, Agustì Roc and Vertical Champion Laura Orguè.

Italy will be aiming at the Vertical and Sky distances with a robust line-up headed by Vertical World Champion Urban Zemmer and Antonella Confortola who took third at the recent KM Vertical in Chamonix. The Italian squad is supported by Nicola Golinelli (4^th Mont-Blanc Marathon), Marco Facchinelli currently heading the SWS Vertical Series together with Marco Moletto (ranked 4^th). Silvia Serafini (4^th in Mont-Blanc Marathon), will race both distances while Stephanie Jimenez will take on the SkyMarathon®.

Many more world-class names have signed up to represent their county in the European Championships. Among them, the strong French team: Michel Lanne, Emilie Lecomte, Matheo Jacquemoud, Didier Zago, Celine Lafaye and Corrine Favre; Philipp Reiter and promising “new” skyrunner Florian Reichert (Germany); Ferran Teixido and Oscar Casal Mir (Andorra); Zhanna Vokueva (Russia); Csaba Nemeth (Hungary); Ionut Zinca (Rumania); Tessa Hill(Great Britain).

The Netherlands are not new to skyrunning after their first experience at the 2012 SkyGames®. They are led by Ragna Debats, 5^th at Mont-Blanc Marathon. New entries include a very strong representation from the Czech Republic with no less than thirteen team members they are determined to make an impression on the international skyrunning scene.

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

The events kick off on July 19 in Canazei, Trento, Italy with the Vertical Kilometer®, followed by the Dolomites SkyRace® on July 21. The Ultra distance will be disputed at the Trans d’Havet just six days later in the nearby Veneto Region on July 27.

With such a deep field in every category, records are likely to tumble.

The record on the unforgiving Vertical Kilometer® course, just 2,1 km long, stands at 33’16” by Urban Zemmer and Antonella Confortola, 39’13”, back in 2008 when the course was inaugurated at the SkyGames® .

The Dolomites SkyRace® favoured by the world’s top runners offers a new challenge after record-breaking performances last year by Kilian Jornet in2h01’52 and Emelie Forsberg, in 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 majestically above the start and finish of the race in Canazei.

Moving on to the much anticipated Ultra, the Trans d’Havet is an 80 km point to point with 5,500m vertical climb traversing the Piccole Dolomiti in the Veneto Region. The route, technical in stretches, includes 6 km of tunnels.

Course records at last year’s launch were: 10h58’44” by Daniele Palladino (ITA) and Francesca Canepa (ITA) 11h44’45’’.

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