This weekend, the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series (MSWS) delivers back-to-back stops with two of the most technical races on the circuit: the Matterhorn Ultraks Extreme in Zermatt on Friday, and the legendary Trofeo Kima in Val Masino, Italy on Saturday. Together they form Stages 13 and 14 of this year’s MSWS calendar, and both demand serious alpine credentials — fixed ropes, glacier crossings, and exposed ridgelines above 3,000m are all part of the package. Elite fields from across the globe will converge on the Alps for what promises to be one of the toughest weekends in skyrunning.
Conditions could add another layer of difficulty to Friday’s race, with thunder and lightning forecast across the Alps threatening the Ultraks course. Saturday looks more forgiving, with good weather currently expected for race day at Kima.
The weekend also marks the return of two legends of the sport: Hillary Gerardi and Emelie Forsberg are both back on the start line at Trofeo Kima.
THE MATTERHORN ULTRAKS EXTREME – FRIDAY
The EXTREME is the flagship race of Matterhorn Ultraks and has been part of the Skyrunner® World Series since 2019. Athletes face 27km and 3,175m of vertical gain, crossing mountain lakes, rocky ridgelines and a glacier section beneath the iconic silhouette of the Matterhorn.
Elite Women’s Field:
Denisa Dragomir (ROM) – Merrell
Takako Takamura (JPN) – Nike ACG
Natalie Beadle (GBR) – Arc’teryx
Alice Bausseron (FRA) – New Balance
Maria Christen (SUI) – Scott Running
Tanja Löwenhagen (GER) – Nedao Running
Perrine Abadie (FRA) – Nnormal
Robin Vieira (USA) – Oiselle
Elite Men’s Field:
Alex Oberbacher (ITA) – La Sportiva
Martin Anthamatten (SUI) – Adidas Terrex
Nico Molina (ESP) – Scott Running
Daniel Antonioli (ITA) – Scarpa
Tom Spencer (GBR) – Inov8
Oier Zubeldia (ESP) – Basque EMF
Hugo Lonne (FRA) – Revario
Louis Dumas (FRA) – Esclops d’Azun
TROFEO KIMA – SATURDAY
Held every two years along the legendary Sentiero Roma, Trofeo Kima is considered by many the purest test in skyrunning. The course covers 52km with roughly 4,200m of ascent (and the same in descent) over seven mountain passes, all above 2,500m, with fixed ropes, moraines and exposed ledges throughout. With very few bibs available, Kima’s elite field is always among the most decorated in the sport.
A storyline to watch: two legends of the race return to Trofeo Kima this year. Emelie Forsberg is back for the first time since her 2016 victory, a full decade after last standing on the start line in Val Masino, alongside fellow legend Hillary Gerardi.
Elite Women’s Field:
Emelie Forsberg (SWE) – Nnormal
Hillary Gerardi (FRA / USA) – Scarpa / Black Diamond
Lucille Germain (FRA) – Nnormal
Shangave Balendran (NOR) – VJ / Patagonia
Kalie McCrystal (CAN)
Olivia Magnone (FRA) – Merrell
Elena Karanfiloska (MKD) – Lurbel
Lina El Kott (SWE) – Merrell
Elite Men’s Field:
Manuel Merillas (ESP) – New Balance
William Boffelli (ITA) – Kailas
Mattia Bertoncini (ITA) – New Balance
Gianluca Ghiano (ITA) – Brooks
Daniel Izquierdo (ESP) – OS20
Dimas Pereira (ESP) – Asics
Pascal Egli (SUI) – Cimalp
The Matterhorn Ultraks Extreme sets off from Zermatt at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, with Trofeo Kima following on Saturday morning from Filorera at 06:30 a.m. , bringing the curtain down on two of the most demanding stages of the season.
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