The Face de Bellevarde lived up to its reputation as a challenging Olympic downhill ski course, but the uphill Vertical Kilometer® yesterday saw both the men’s and women’s records smashed on the third stage of the Skyrunner® World Series.
Ranking leader Christel Dewalle powered up the 1,000m climb to set an incredible new record in 38’11” slicing 2’41” off the standing record set by Laura Orguè in 2014. Twenty-six year-old Xavier Gachet, a member of the French Ski Mountaineering team and new to skyrunning international competition, broke the long standing record set by Marco De Gasperi in 2003 by 1’17” to close in 33’34”. Both French, they each took home a BMW car for a year for breaking the records.
Cool weather helped for a fast race up the punishing three kilometre course to the 2,798m summit. The first four men and two women all closed under the previous record times. The new records could stand for a long time and represent a challenge to skyrunners in the years to come.
For the record, in 2003 the average ascent was 1,702 metres per hour, while yesterday, Xavier Gachet raced at 1,755m/h setting the new race record.
Now 39, previous record holder Marco De Gasperi closed in an excellent 35’05”, just 14” over the time he set thirteen years ago. He and his wife Elisa Desco (reigning World Champion for the Sky distance), accompanied the Scott Junior Team consisting of seven aspiring skyrunners on their first international racing experience.
“After nearly 20 years since my first time here, the changes are evident, not just on a personal level but also Val d’Isère has changed a lot and done a lot. It was one of the first VK’s – an innovation brought here by skyrunning.” De Gasperi said before the race. “Being here is very special. Now my objective is bringing the youngsters here to give them a great experience. They’re promising and highly motivated.”
Who knows? A potential record-breaker in the making could be among them.
Face de Bellevarde VK race results
Men
- Xavier Gachet (FRA) – 33’34”
- Adrien Perret (FRA) – 33’41”
- Rémi Bonnet (SUI) – 34’06”
Women
- Christel Dewalle (FRA) – 38’11”
- Axelle Mollaret (FRA) – 40’33”
- Emily Collinge (GBR) – 41’33”
Full race results here
Vertical Series ranking
Men
- Ferran Teixido (AND) – 196 points
- Jean- François Philipot (FRA) – 140 points
- William Bon Mardion (FRA) – 140 points
Women
- Christel Dewalle (FRA) – 288 points
- Emily Collinge (GBR) – 178 points
- Elisa Desco (ITA) – 140 points
Skyrunner® Vertical Series ranking
Adrien Perret, 2nd Face de Bellevarde VK. ©iancorless.com
Anticipation is mounting for Sunday’s brand new High Trail Vanoise. The newly designed course starts and finishes in the centre of Val d’Isère but the battle ground will be over the 67 km distance and gruelling 5,400m vertical climb which will have many participants struggling with the altitude.
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The events are organised by the Club des Sports de Val d’Isère
