Impressive performances by Italy’s Gianluca Ghiano and Anastacia Rubtsova, who triumphed over competitive field at the 2Peaks Skyrace in Ulji Country, South Korea.
The 17th stage of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series season kicked off today at 08:00 am (local time). The 26-kilometer race, with 2,080 meters of elevation gain, ran through the beautiful Yeongnam Alps and showcased the beauty of the South Korean mountains.
With an impressive lineup of international elites at the starting line, it was no surprise that the race was exciting and unpredictable with the skyrunning community witnessing a showdown between world-class Italian and Japanese skyrunners.
Gianluca Ghiano of Italy (team Brooks) set off fast and set the pace, followed closely by Japanese athletes Ruy Ueda (team Ruy / Red Bull) and Shoma Otagiri (team Merrell), with fellow Italian, Lorenzo Beltrami (team Scarpa) close behind.
In the end, Ghiano was able to hold the pace until the end. After a season of podium places, but never a win, Ghiano finally crossed the finish line in first place and proudly slid on the SWS winner’s bib with a time of 02:53:42.
Ghiano comments: “I’m happy about my race today and to share the course and push together with Ruy Ueda. Finally I got my first place. I have been dreaming about this moment for years. Now, time to rest and pin a bib on again at Kailas Penang Skyrace in Malaysia.”
Ruy Ueda finished less than a minute behind Ghiano in second place and Lorenzo Beltrami closed the men’s podium, 12 minutes behind Ghiano. Jules Delabelle of France (team Merrell) finished seventh overall and was the first U23 athlete.
In the women’s race, Anastasia Rubtsova took home her fifth win of the 2024 season. Dominating the race from start to finish, Rubtsova was untouchable and finished almost twenty minutes ahead of the second woman, placing eighth overall with a time of 03:24:55.
Rubtsova comments: “This race was very hard with a lot of technical sections but also beautiful views. It feels unbelievable to win again for a fifth time this season and I think this has been great preparation for the final race next month.”
Second place was claimed by Irina Rachinskaia and third went to Veronika Leng of Slovakia. Rio Townsend of the USA was the first U23 female.
The season continues tomorrow, Sunday 27th of October at 09:00 (local time), in Asturias, Spain, with Sobrescobio Skyrace. Live screening of Sobrescoio Skyrace here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Lb8NueuwyNY
Photos: Antton Guaresti
