Orgué and Margarit star in Dolomites

Dolomites SkyRace winners Laura Orgué and Jan Margarit. ©iancorless.com /SWS
Dolomites SkyRace winners Laura Orgué and Jan Margarit. ©iancorless.com /SWS

It was a day of celebration in Canazei, Italy at the Dolomites SkyRace® where, despite bad weather, a record 1,000 runners from 41 countries took part in the race which for 20 years has become a magnet for the world’s best talent. Spaniards Laura Orgué and Jan Margarit topped the podium on the sixth stage of the Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series Sky Classic category.

Thunderstorms, rain and cloud obscured the summit of the 3,152m Piz Boé, resulting in a delayed start and a shortened course – 22.3 km with 1,710m climb to 2,950m altitude – nullifying the previous records – and setting new ones.

Rémi Bonnet, second at Dolomites SkyRace. ©iancorless.com / SWS
Rémi Bonnet, fourth at Dolomites SkyRace. ©iancorless.com / SWS

First man at the Forcella Pordoi was Switzerland’s Rémi Bonnet, followed closely by fellow country-man Martin Anthamatten and Italian Davide Magnini. In skyrunning the win often lies in the descent and those with downhill skills will outshine their rivals. This was the case today with a very close finish by nineteen-year-old Jan Margarit closing in 2h06’20”, with Magnini just 22” behind and Italian Marco De Gasperi only 45” off the winner. Bonnet closed fourth and Anthamatten in fifth.

What a race! I’m really happy!Margarit exclaimed.  I started without much confidence, but as soon as warmed up I felt better. I stayed with Marco De Gasperi for most of the race, but on the downhill I went as fast as I could to catch the first runner and I overtook him in the last two kilometres. Boy, what a downhill!”

Marco De Gasperi, third, Dolomites SkyRace. ©iancorless.com / SWS
Skyrunning legend Marco De Gasperi, an excellent third, Dolomites SkyRace. ©iancorless.com / SWS

De Gasperi, twenty years older than both Margarit and Magnini, commented, “I didn’t have positive feelings from the start, but as soon as we began to climb I felt better and better. At my age I need more time to be at the best, so I was unlucky that they cut Piz Boè. In the downhill I was going really well with Jan. When I spotted the first runner just a couple of bends below I told him we could catch them, but he was slightly faster than me and I closed third. At least I’m not always second!

Italian Tadei Pivk, on the podium since 2013 and 2015 and 2016 winner was not on his best form today, finishing seventh.

For Orguè, it was her third win here, in 2014 and 2016 where she set the course record. She dominated the race confidently from start to finish to close in 2h36’29”, with Hillary Gerardi from the USA a minute and a half behind. Norwegian Hilde Aders closed the podium in third.

Laura Orgué, three-time winner, Dolomites SkyRace. ©iancorless.com / SWS
Laura Orgué, three-time winner, Dolomites SkyRace. ©iancorless.com / SWS

”I was planning on going strong on the ascent and hoping to maintain the pace in the downhill and I did it!” said Orgué. “While I was running I heard Jan had won and this helped me push harder. It’s always a pleasure to win here and I’m happy for this third victory in the Dolomites.

It was a weekend of celebrations with the 10th anniversary of the Dolomites Vertical Kilometer® on Friday and twenty years of the Dolomites SkyRace® on Saturday. The races have attracted the world’s top runners over the years and on this occasion, stars from the past and the present shone.

The top of the men’s Sky Classic ranking is all Spanish with Aritz Egea maintaining his lead. Eduard Hernandez, 17th today, rises to second position while Hassan Ait Chaou rises to third.

In the women’s ranking Oihana Azkorbebitia climbs to the first position thanks to her seventh place, followed by Maite Maiora and Ragna Debats.

Dolomites SkyRace® results
Men

‪1. Jan Margarit (ESP) – 2h06’20”
‪2. Davide Magnini (ITA) – 2h06’42”
‪3. Marco De Gasperi (ITA) – 2h07’05”
4. Rémi Bonnet (SUI) – 2h07’40”
5. Martin Athamatten (SUI) – 2h07’40”

Women

  1. Laura Orgué (ESP) – 2h36’29”
  2. Hillary Gerardi (USA) – 2h37’55”
  3. Hilde Aders (NOR) – 2h39’55”
  4. Silvia Rampazzo (ITA) – 2h41’10”
  5. Zuzana Krchova (CZE) – 2h43’21”

The Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series now heads for the Principality of Andorra for the SkyRace® Comapedrosa on, July 30, seventh leg of the Sky Classic category.

Full results

Race details

Rankings

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