Santa Caterina VK – records smashed

Race winner Christel Dewalle. (c) Maurizio Torri
Race winner and new record holder, Christel Dewalle. © Maurizio Torri

It was a hot day in the Italian Alps today and with the world’s top Vertical specialists competing here, the competition was even hotter. Both the men’s and women’s records were smashed at the Santa Caterina VK, second race on the Skyrunner® World Series.

Italian Philip Goetsch was first to reach the summit of the tough 1,000m climb in 33’52”, 2’53” faster than Urban Zemmer’s 2015 record.

Philip Goetsch, winner and record holder Santa Caterina VK. © Maurizio Torri

Frenchwoman Christel Dewalle shaved an incredible 1’37” off Elisa Desco’s record to close in 40’31”.  Vertical World Champion Laura Orgué, back to top level competition after a recent injury, placed an excellent second while Italy’s Francesca Rossi placed third – all under the standing record time. Elisa Desco, also recovering from injury, was unable to match her record but placed fourth.

Second man was Hannes Perkmann and third, world VK record holder, Urban Zemmer. In the men’s field, the Vertical discipline has been dominated by Italians since its inception in the early nineties and today was no exception with the top three all-Italian. For the record, with the final 100m of the course still snow-covered, Goetsch was climbing at an astonishing speed of 11’17” per km over an average incline of 25.7%.

Christel Dewalle powers to victory at the Santa Caterina VK. © Marino Giacometti

For Dewalle, the snow didn’t pose a problem, but it was the mass start, men and women together, that pushed her limits.  “I found the start very demanding. Running with the men and so many people around I went out really hard.”  Evidently, her early sprint paid off and she rose to the challenge showing them just how it’s done.

A total of 152 runners from 15 countries stormed the start-line of the Santa Caterina resort, climbing 1,000m to the summit of the Cresta Sobretta over the short, steep 3 km course.

Look out for Sunday’s Livigno SkyMarathon®, third race in the Sky Series headed by ranking leaders, American Megan Kimmel and Italian Tadei Pivk.

Marco De Gasperi race organiser with winners Philip Goetsch and Christel Dewalle. (c) Fabio Menino
Race organiser Marco De Gasperi with winners Philip Goetsch and Christel Dewalle. © Fabio Menino

Race results

Men

1. Philip Goetsch (ITA) – 33’52”
2. Hannes Perkmann (ITA) – 36’17”
3. Urban Zemmer (ITA) – 36’39”

Women

1. Christel Dewalle (FRA) – 40’39”
2. Laura Orgué (ESP) – 42’55”
3. Francesca Rossi (ITA) – 43’03”

Full race results

 

Provisional Vertical Series ranking

Men

  1. Ferran Teixido (AND) – 140 points
  2. Jan Margarit Sole (ESP) – 128 points
  3. Ondrej Feifar (CZE) – 108 points

Women

  1. Christel Dewalle (FRA) – 188 points
  2. Oihana Kortazar (ESP) – 124 points
  3. Emily Collinge (GBR) – 100 points

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