The skyrunning stars that flocked to Scotland this weekend are exciting the entire community with Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg joining world champions and top ranked international athletes.
A skyrunning festival of no less than four events with 1,300 runners from 30+ countries is lighting up the Scottish Highlands with three events on the Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series. Saturday saw both the Sky Classic and Sky Ultra, valid for the rankings, with a major reshuffle.
World champions Stian Angermund-Vik and Laura Orgué crushed the course records at the Salomon Ring of Steall SkyRace in 3h24’51” and 4h05’12” respectively, an incredible feat after both athletes also won Friday’s Salomon Mamores VK.
“I feel quite tired but it was a fantastic weekend! It was a dream to win both races. I didn’t expect it,” said Angermund-Vik, 2016 winner. “Today I was suffering a lot, especially on the downhill but it’s so fantastic to be back, I really love the mountains here. This race is so beautiful, amazing ridges…” he said with a smile.
The top five men closed just five minutes apart with Switzerland’s Pascal Egli and Briton Kris Jones in second and third.
The women’s race was a sprint finish with Laura Orgué coming out on top with just 44” separating her from Sheila Avilés. Orgué clearly had to fight for her win, but major credit after winning the VK just the day before. Spain dominated the podium with Oihana Azkorbebeitia in third.
“It’s one of those weekends that re-charges you. An important weekend for the VK and Sky rankings. It couldn’t have gone better!” exclaimed Orgué. “It’s always great to go to a new place. The races were amazing – both the VK and Sky had incredible views. I’ll be going to the finals in Limone to see how it will finish, but it’s better to win!”
After today’s Sky Classic, Pascal Egli rises to third, Jan Margarit to fourth, Eugeni Gil to fifth with Kiril Nikolov and Marc Casal Mir sliding back. Aritz Egea and Marco De Gasperi remain first and second, making for an exciting final on October 14 in Italy.
Orgué now tops the women’s ranking rising from third. Hillary Gerardi is in second and Sheila Avilés is now third.
With 29 km distance and 2,500m vertical climb this race is fast becoming a skyrunning classic in every sense, with steep ascents, scrambling sections, ridges and…spectacular views.
The intense day of racing included the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra valid for the Sky Ultra rankings. 118 km with 4,000m vertical climb, the challenging course starts on the shores of Loch Ness and summits Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, to finish at Kinlochleven, the venue centre. It was a great comeback for Nepal’s Mira Rai after a long period of injury. She wrapped it up an incredible fifth overall in 14h24’08”. The men’s race was won by Scotsman Donald Campbell in 12h20’53”.
The events conclude with Sunday’s Sky Extreme finals at the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline where superstars Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg will compete with the top ranked athletes.
Salomon Ring of Steall results
Men
- Stian Angermund-Vik (NOR) – 3h24’51”
- Pascal Egli (SUI) – 3h26’23”
- Kris Jones (GBR) – 3h26’52”
- Jan Margarit (ESP) – 3h29’13”
- Kiril Nikolov (BUL) – 3h29’45”
Women
- Laura Orgué (ESP) – 4h05’12”
- Sheila Avilés (ESP) – 4h05’56”
- Oihana Azkorbebeitia (ESP) – 4h15’21”
- Hilary Gerardi (USA) – 4h20’32”
- Maite Maiora (ESP) – 4h22’20”
Salomon Ring of Steall results
VERTICAL KILOMETER® WORLD CIRCUIT
Friday, 15 September – Salomon Mamores VK
MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES
SKY CLASSIC
Saturday 16 September – Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace
SKY ULTRA
Saturday 16 September – Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra
SKY EXTREME
Sunday 17 September – Salomon Glen Coe Skyline
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates
