Dynastar X3 Courchevel 2018: the benchmark edition!

Dynastar X3 Courchevel 2018: the benchmark edition!

Record participation for this 6th edition of this “extraordinary” triathlon: more than 500 participants at the start and dream weather conditions for linking the 13.9 km (930 m of elevation gain) by bike, 6.3 km (180 m of elevation gain/loss) of trail running and 4.8 km (950 m of elevation gain) of ski mountaineering of the “Dynastar X3 Courchevel”, solo or in a team of three, starting from the Carrey crossroads (altitude: 830 m) to reach the summit of the Saulire (altitude: 2,710 m).

This original race format makes for a fine transition between winter and summer sports. This competition attracts a growing number of participants, whether amateurs or specialists: undoubtedly an unmissable event for all outdoor sports enthusiasts. On the start line, the winners of the 2017 edition came to defend their titles: William Bon Mardion, holder of the event record in 1h56min, a performance set last year, and Stéphanie Duc, victorious in 2013, 2016 and 2017. Alongside them, regulars of this triathlon are counting on their past experience: Yoann Sert, three-time winner in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz, 3rd in 2016 and 4th last year, but also winner of the 54 km of the New Balance X-Trail Courchevel 2017. In terms of pedigree, the presence of 2 winners of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), Vincent Delebarre in 2004 and Ludovic Pommeret in 2016, will play the spoilers. Renowned athletes from different sporting disciplines come to test themselves in this competition, such as cyclist Christophe Bassons, master mountain biking world runner-up in 2017, triathlete Tony Moulaï, French champion 2012 and World Cup winner in Tongyeong, and rower Jean-Christophe Bette, Olympic gold medallist in rowing at the Sydney Games in 2000 with 5 world champion titles to boot. Among the potential favourites, note the presence of Mickael Rodriguez, Julien Lodolo, Nicolas Raybaud and local Sébastien Figliolini, winner of the Pierra Menta in 1998.

Among the women, the field is also strong with the full 2017 podium. Besides Stéphanie Duc, Laurianne Plaçais, 2nd last year and above all holder of the best women’s time on the cycling stage in 50min45s, and Marianna Jagercikova, 3rd, hope to climb the standings. The pack of outsiders is dense with Mélanie Rousset, 3rd in the Transgrancanaria 2017, Corinne Favre, Skyrunning world champion in 1998, a regular at this triathlon: 3rd solo in 2015 and 4th in 2017, Alexandra Borrelly, cross triathlon 40/44 world champion in 2015 and 3rd in the event in 2016, not forgetting Laure-Anne Ferrent, Mélanie Jeannerod and Catherine Juillaguet.

From the start, all the favourites set the tempo. After three kilometres of racing, a group broke away with Mickael Rodriguez, Antoine Boudsocq, Julien Lodolo, Simon Bellabouvier, William Bon Mardion and Yoann Sert. Despite his experience, Christophe Bassons could not hold the pace: “It had been a very long time since I’d ridden a road bike, I felt glued to the tarmac. I think I’d have been faster on a mountain bike.” Among the women, cyclists Laurianne Plaçais and Laure-Anne Ferrent took the lead from the outset.

At the end of the 13.9 km climb, Mickael Rodriguez, Antoine Boudsocq and Julien Lodolo, all 3 in a trio team, arrived within a handkerchief of each other at the transition area, followed by William Bon Mardion and Yoann Sert neck and neck. Aurélien Dunand Pallaz conceded 2 minutes. Laurianne Plaçais confirmed her good form in cycling and made it a double by raising the women’s record to 50min25s. She was followed less than a minute behind by Laure-Anne Ferrent. Marianna Jagercikova limited the damage by losing only 2 min 35s.

No time to lose in the transition zone for the competitors: they have to switch from cyclist mode to trail runner mode as quickly as possible: a real “quick change” of under 1 min 30s, which is part of triathlon preparation.

Because of exceptional snow cover this year compared with previous editions, race conditions were trickier. While the first competitors benefited from fairly compact snow, the others often had to “wade through it”. In this context, Léo Rochaix set the best time in 26min04s ahead of Nathan Jovet and William Bon Mardion. Yoann Sert conceded 17 seconds to the latter but a good pass through the transition area allowed him to set off on his heels for the final ski mountaineering stage. Ludovic Pommeret finished this section in 7th position, 2 places ahead of Tony Moulaï. Patricia Serda won the trail run in 32min13s among the women ahead of Mélanie Rousset who made a fine return to the head of the standings and Marianna Jagercikova, very consistent. Laurianne Plaçais dropped back with the 14th time. The ski touring specialists, Stéphanie Duc and Corinne Favre, conceded too much time before their favourite stage.

Pacing your effort is vital in this triathlon because, very often, everything is decided on the ski mountaineering section. Halfway along this section, at the cable-car departure point, it’s the wall! Here, and especially for non-specialists, everything can tip. Reaching the finish can take anywhere from under 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Pierre-François Gachet (trio) is the first to set off. Very quickly, Yoann Sert makes his effort to catch William Bon Mardion. In the women’s race, Marianna Jagercikova opens up a gap on Laurianne Plaçais. At the finish, under a radiant sun, there is a touch of the Pierra Menta: the many spectators ring cowbells, the flower garlands are ready to be placed around the participants' necks: in short, the atmosphere of a big day. The following helicopter emerges from the Combe de la Saulire to announce the approach of the competitors. The first to cross the line, Pierre-Francois Gachet, completes the ski mountaineering section in 45min06s and wins the Dynastar X3 2018, in the “Men’s Trio” team category, with his teammates Julien Lodolo (Cycling) and Léo Rochaix (Trail Running). The great solo winner, William Bon Mardion, confirms his 2017 success. He wins in 1h58min12s after a fierce fight with Yoann Sert, second in 1h59min19s. Aurélien Dunand Pallaz completes the podium in 2h02min56s. The best time on the ski mountaineering course (43min 55s) is set by Florent Perrier, 8-time world champion in the specialty. In the women’s race, consistency paid off. Marianna Jagercikova, always in the top 3 of each section, wins with flair in 2h28min20s ahead of Laurianne Plaçais (2h33min19s) and Mélanie Rousset ( 2h35min22s). Laura Deplanche, a member of the French ski mountaineering team, sets the best time on the final climb in 55min17s, a performance that allows her team made up of Anais Terrettaz (Cycling) and Alice Niemaz (Trail Running) to take first place in the “Women’s Trio” category. In the “Mixed Trio” category, Laure-Anne Ferrent (Cycling), Nathan Jovet (Trail Running) and Eric David (Ski Mountaineering) complete the roll of honour of this 2018 edition, which goes down in the annals.

The 7th edition of the “Dynastar X3 Courchevel” will take place on 14 April 2019, but before then, see you on 19 August 2018 for the “Felt X3 Courchevel” Triathlon, with its sequence of swimming, cycling and running.