Volta Cerdanya Ultrafons 2013

Posted on March 12, 2013 by talkultra

In the second edition of the Volta Cerdanya Ultrafons due to take place on the 7th, 8th & 9th of June the 85km Volta Cerdanya Trail has been added to the ultraendurance Catalan Cup. The VCUF consists of four races in different places of Catalaonia.

The main event is the 215km Volta Cerdanya Ultrafons is on the calendar of the SUMMUM *(six mountain ultramarathons, one aim) Ultracup, the first Spanish circuit of mountain races. *In Spanish (Seis Ultra Maratones de Montaña, Una Meta)

Gael Piguillem/Volta Cerdanya Ultrafons

The races are supported by Kilian Jornet and the race organisers respectfully credit Kilian as the main inspiration for making the ‘sport’ so popular with athletes who are interested in this level of difficulty.

The VCUF will be the fourth race in the SUMMUM calendar and the other races are:

Ultra Sierras del Bandolero
Lanzarote Lava Trail
Penyagolosa Trails
Xtreme Lagos de Covadonga
Guadarrama Trail Race

The VCUF covering 215km’s with over 9000m of vertical gain will be a real test for all participants.

Who will be taking part?

This race may very well have slipped many peoples radar but I don’t know why? I only need to mention one name and interest will soon spark, Kilian Jornet.

Kilian Jornet at Cavalls del Vent copyright Ian Corless

Yes, Kilian has added the VCUF to his calendar and he will be joined by his Salomon teammate, Tòfol Castanyer. Other notable names are Toti Bes and Marc Pinsach.

Tofol Castanyer at Cavalls del Vent copyright Ian Corless

Notable interest from a UK perspective is the inclusion of the 2013 The Spine Race winner, Eugeni Roselló. The Spine Race has gained a reputation as Britain’s most brutal race. Eugeni from Catalan covered the 460km (268 mile) race in 5 days 4 hours and 52 minutes. Taking place in the winter, Eugeni had to combat some extremely harsh UK conditions to reach the finish line.

The Spine Race at the finish

After abondoning the race in 2012 due to some pain issues, Eugeni Roselló hopes he will be able to complete the VCUF in 2013.

More updates and information will be provided as and when we have it. However, if you are looking for a race that will test you, the VCUF may very well be a race that you want to add to your schedule for June 2013.

Information here:

Kilian Jornet’s calendar 2013

Posted on February 28, 2013 by talkultra

Kilian Jornet copyright Ian Corless

Kilian Jornet has just announced his 2013 calendar. In just one glance you can see the dominance of Skyrunning. I am sure Kilian is laying his stall out and wants to be World Champion in VK, Sky and Ultra in the series.

Apart from one or two races, I will be at all of the events listed below bringing you interviews, images and audio as the action unfolds.

His 2012 placing of 3rd at Transvulcania must be a high priority on his list. I am sure he will be gunning for the win in 2013. Notably he has already stopped his skiing season allowing for more adequate preparation for the start of the 2013 season.

A surprise is a return to Raid de la Reunion. Maybe he wants a course record…?

2013 is going to be a very exciting season. I can’t wait to see it unfold.

CALENDAR

07/05/2013 – VERTICAL KILOMETER ELBRUS – RUSSIA – http://www.elbrus.redfox.ru/english/news/

11/05/2013 – TRANSVULCANIA – SPAIN – http://transvulcania13.com/index.php/en/

Kilian at Transvulcania 2012 copyright Ian Corless

26/05/2013 – ZEGAMA AIZKORRI – SPAIN – http://www.zegama-aizkorri.com/

09/06/2013 – CERDANYA ULTRAFONS – SPAIN – http://www.ultrafons.com/

28/06/2013 – VERTICAL KILOMETER CHAMONIX – FRANCE – http://www.montblancmarathon.net/fr/

30/06/2013 – MARATON CHAMONIX – FRANCE – http://www.montblancmarathon.net/fr/

06/07/2013-07/07/2013 – KILIAN’S CLASSIK – FRANCE – http://www.traildefontromeu.com

14/07/2013 – ICE TRAIL TARANTAISE – FRANCE – http://www.icetrailtarentaise.fr/

19/07/2013-21/07/2013 – EUROPEAN SKYRUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP – ITALY – http://www.dolomiteskyrace.com/portali.asp

Kilian at Cavalls del Vent 2012 copyright Ian Corles

27/07/2013 – ULTRA SKYRUNNING DOLOMITI – ITALY – http://www.dolomiteskyrace.com/portali.asp

24/08/2013 – MATTERHORN ULTAKS – SWITZERLAND – http://www.ultraks.com/

01/09/2013 – MEET YOU MAKER – CANADA – http://www.meetyourmaker50.com/

28/09/2013 – UROC – USA – http://www.ultraroc.com

11/10/2013-13/10/2013 – LIMONE – ITALY – http://www.skybikextreme.com/

25/10/2013-27/10/2013 – GRAND RAID REUNION – REUNION ISLAND –
http://www.grandraid-reunion.com

Philipp Reiter – wonder kid !

Posted on February 27, 2013 by talkultra

Philipp Reiter makes me laugh… he makes me laugh lots! 21 years old, the world is ahead of him and he embraces each day as though it was his last. His passion for life and running is matched by his appetite for the ‘buffet’ at our hotel. Boy can he eat!

In 2012, he emerged on the ‘world’ stage by clocking up a series of top 10 places and wins that only a fool could ignore. He won the Salaomon Four Trails ahead of Thomas Lorblanchet and Francois d’Haene. He teamed up with teammate, Iker Karrera at Trans Alpine and won. He suffered a little at Transvulcania, ran strong at Trofeo Kima and dug deep at Cavalls del Vent.

After Trofeo Kima I asked him what his aspirations are for the future….

“I want to be the new Kilian” he replied.

Today, just before we headed out on to the beach to take the photos that you can see in the post, I questioned him again. His answer today?

“I want to beat Kilian”

He has just spent the last two to three months ski mountaineering and this weekend he lines up at the 83km TNF Trans Gran Canaria to take on a competetive field that includes teammate, Ryan Sandes. With no running in his legs is it possible to perform over 83km on tough trail? Philipp thinks so.

On the trails yesterday, Philipp flew off like a man possessed. It was hard to believe that he hadn’t run… no small stops to ease himself in. No, not at all. He bounded and leaped down the trail as though some binding shackles had been removed.

“When you take the skis off and run, you feel so light. It’s incredible. It’s a joy to run” said Philipp in my 30+ min interview scheduled to be aired in episode 30 of Talk Ultra on March 8th.

“The break from running freshens the mind, it’s a good thing, I love sport, I love cycling, I love going to the gym, I love variety. That is what is so exciting about what I do”

You can see the logic. Look at his peer group; Kilian Jornet, Nuria Picas, Emelie Forsberg and so on… they all turn from trails to snow in the winter months.

This coming weekend will show us how Philipp’s form is after months of no running. But ultimately the 83km on Saturday are only small and tiny steps on what will be a very interesting 2013 season.

A full set of images from today are available HERE

You can see how Philipp gets on against Ryan Sandes and the other runners at : http://www.transgrancanaria.net

You can listen to my interview with Philipp on the next episode of Talk Ultra. It will be available for ‘free’ download on iTunes, Libsyn and talk ultra.com.

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

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

Website – talkultra.com

Salomon S Lab Light Jacket 2013

Posted on February 20, 2013 by talkultra

Salomon need no introduction to the trail and ultra running community. Born in 1947 in the French Alps. For more than 60 years the brand has progressed to now offer some of the most innovative and ground breaking products to be used on the trails and mountains. With constant athlete feedback and collaborations, Salomon have progressed running apparel to new levels with innovative solutions.

The Sense and Sense Ultra shoe models are now one of the most talked about footwear options in the trail and ultra community. A shoe that was developed closely with Kilian Jornet.

Apparel has also been developed, tweaked and modified to provide todays runners with specific clothing designed to excel. Welcome the 2013 Salomon S-Lab clothing range.

Salomon S-Lab Light Jacket

This is the jacket that the Salomon racing team have been using on the trails and mountains throughout last year. The 2012 season threw some really bad weather at the team and this jacket was put to great use at races such as Zegama, Cavalls del Vent and Templiers.

Andy Symonds at Templiers copyright Ian Corless

Weighing in at just 70g this jacket rolls up into nothing and can be added to the pockets within the S-Lab shorts/skort range (see follow on posts) or added to a waist belt. It is ultra light, windproof with a super soft and comfortable feel. It has a simple design and is ideally designed for racing situations when a light and additional layer is required. Should conditions be particularly cold or continually wet, a more durable jacket may well be required.

Specs

Fully windproof CLIMAWIND™ material

Featherweight at 70g

Highly breathable

Full length Zip for easy/quick on and off

Highly Packable and will fit in the palm of your hand

Reflective branding

Active fit jacket – unrestricted movement

Fabric:

CLIMAWIND PRO™

Available in white and black.

Salomon website: HERE

Run or Die – Kilian Jornet

Posted on February 18, 2013 by talkultra

Looks like the wait is over… ‘Run or Die’ by Kilian Jornet is now available to ‘pre order’ in English for July 2013 delivery.

Kiss or kill. Go for glory or die trying.

This is the extreme philosophy of an extreme athlete. A hero. An extraordinary person. An exceptional competitor. Kilian Jornet is a world champion ultra-runner, and before age 25 had conquered some of the toughest physical tests on the planet. He has run the great Mt. Kilimanjaro faster than any other human being, and struck down world records in every challenge that has been proposed.

Run or Die is not just Jornet’s story, but his philosophy of life.

Available on Amazon HERE

Skyrunning World Series Participants 2013

Posted on February 15, 2013 by talkultra

SWS – champions choice

Building on the 2012 Skyrunner® World Series success and the introduction of the Ultras, 2013 prepares for an even bigger star-studded cast.

The line-up of champions is headed by 2012 SWS winners Kilian Jornet, Emelie Forsberg and Nuria Picas, joined by past world champions Emanuela Brizio, Oihana Kortazar, Luis Alberto Hernando and Tofol Castanyer and WMRA champions Marco De Gasperi and Stevie Kremer.

Nuria Picas copyright Ian Corless

Philipp Reiter copyright Ian Corless

Emelie Forsberg copyright Ian Corless

With some of the big American ultra legends crossing the pond last year to get a taste of skyrunning, the word is out! Joining them this year: Anton Krupicka, Dakota Jones, Rickey Gates, Mike Foote, Timothy Olson, Joe Grant….

Kilian and Tony Krupicka copyright Ian Corless

Dakota Jones copyright Ian Corless

It’s full immersion for Kilian Jornet who, with his unique skills, will participate in no less than all three Series: Vertical, Sky and Ultra!

Kilian Jornet copyright Ian Corless

Lizzy Hawker will be toeing the start-line at the Series’ first 100-miler while Anna Frost will take part in both the Sky and the Ultra Series. The mix includes Phillip Reiter and Julia Böttger from Germany, top French names: Francois d’Haene, Julien Chorier, Michel Lanne, Yann Curien, Maud Gobert and Stephanie Jimenez, Britons Andy Symonds and Tom Owens, Canada’s Adam Campbell.

Marco de Gasperi – copyright Ian Corless

Anna Frost copyright Ian Corless

Strong team participation is engaged right across the Series headed by the heavy-duty Salomon team as well as hefty, international line-ups from inov-8, La Sportiva, Salomon Agisko and Arc’teryx, The North Face, Haglöfs, Montrail, Scott as well teams from Spain, Italy, Russia, Japan

Take a look at the mix here. Have we got everybody?

You’re still in time to join the throng and remember, if you’re competing in the World Series, there’s always a slot available for you.

Follow the action on Skyrunning HERE

Follow on Talk Ultra HERE

On Twitter @talkultra

The feet and the heart

Posted on February 13, 2013 by talkultra

Nice compilation video showing Kilian Jornet (amongst others) in action on the trails and mountains. By Arnaud A

Kilian Jornet – A Trail Running Island

Posted on January 31, 2013 by talkultra

Imagine an Island in the Indian Ocean: mountains, rainforest..a population passionate about trailrunning, a race going on it’s 20th edition. We are on the Island of La Réunion, A Trail Running Island – enjoy !

Salomon Running TV S2 E13

Kilian’s Test Results

Posted on January 29, 2013 by talkultra

I remember it well, two days before Cavalls del Vent in 2012 I was in the race hotel in Berga having dinner with Terry Conway, Emelie Forsberg and Philipp Retier.

Midway through the meal, Kilian Jornet joined us. Just the day before he had been in Barcelona for testing.

If you have seen the recent Summits of my Life movie, ‘A Fine LIne‘ you will see Kilian undertaking part of this test.

We discussed over food how this test had gone… Kilian seemed happy, he said that he had managed to last longer than previous tests. An improvement! You can see the results here:

Spirometry

Lung capacity: 5.3 L
VEMS: 4750
Tiffenneau: 88.28
PEFR: 10,63

Morphology:

weight: 58kg
hight: 171cm
% grass: 8,72
% muscle: 46,1
% bone: 21.01

Test bruce:

max: 12km/h – 24% inclination
sat o2: 94%
VO2 max: 90 l/min/kg
RR: 1.10
FC: 199 b/min
Lactate: 13 (5′) mM/L
recovery 1 min: 110p/min
recovery 3 min: 85 p/m
Anaerobic threshold: 95%

About Mountain Running…

Posted on January 27, 2013 by talkultra

Yes, I openly admit I work for Skyrunning and I attend the events that they organize. I love the philosophy, the courses and the people.

To be honest, I love our sport. Don’t we all?

The WMRA – World Mountain Running Association, are once again making sure that WE understand what Mountain Running is and I guess what Mountaineering, Orienteering and Skyrunning is…

Taken from the WMRA website – link HERE

Mountain Running is Athletics. Differences with Mountaineering, Orienteering and Skyrunning.

To distinguish the sport of mountain running from mountaineering or orienteering or skyrunning we can look at the philosophy of each sport.

The philosophy of mountaineering is based on contact with and challenge to nature. The time factor is only important in relation to our planning and safety. Climbers seek their adrenalin rush climbing on rock faces, looking for new routes and overcoming the danger inherent in their sport. A considerable amount of technical equipment, (ropes, pitons, etc) is needed. It is a question of combat between man and nature.

The philosophy of orienteering is to work out the quickest router between two points. Speed is important but it is useless without map-reading, compass, and route finding skills. In a few competitions, orienteering moves out of the forest, its natural habitat, and onto the mountains but its philosophy is still distinct from that of mountain running.

The philosophy of skyrunning seems to be an adventure on the mountain, trying extreme difficulties: in fact skyrunning is the discipline of running in the mountains above 2.000 meters, where the incline exceeds 30% and the climbing difficulty does not exceed II° grade. Ski poles and hands may be used to aid progress.

The philosophy of athletics, in our case mountain running, is based on the time factor, how to reach the finish taking the defined way as fast as possible. This is the objective of those who take part in competitive mountain running. Courses are designed to eliminate danger. No equipment is needed, no ropes, no compass. Athletes find their challenge in matching their speed against that of other runners, a competition between man (woman) and man (woman).

Are we clear?

Just to make sure:

WMRA Council: definition of mountain running for IAAF Rule Book

During the final day of meetings for the WMRA Council in Monte Carlo, the definition of mountain running was discussed at length which resulted in proposed language for a new rule to appear in the IAAF rule book: this new rule numbered 251 could replace actual rule 250.10.
It was agreed by the Council that there are extreme variations in conditions in which Mountain running is practiced worldwide. The difference between very successful and unsuccessful events often lies in the natural characteristics of the venue and the abilities of the course designer.
The proposed rule from the WMRA Council is intended as a guide and incentive to assist countries to further develop Mountain running.
Guidelines are included to support worldwide race directors in the organization and logistics of their events.
The proposed rule will be forwarded to the IAAF for consideration with hopes for final approval by the IAAF Congress in August 2013, at Moscow.
The rule would then appear in the IAAF Rule Book