Record participation in the 7th edition of the Dynastar X3 Courchevel 2019!
In its 7 years of existence, this extraordinary triathlon combining cycling, trail running and ski mountaineering has become a true institution that attracts more and more participants every year.
Record participation in the 7th edition of the Dynastar X3 Courchevel 2019!
An enthusiasm that shows no sign of fading for this unmissable event for all outdoor sports fans. In its 7 years of existence, this extraordinary triathlon combining cycling, trail running and ski mountaineering has become a true institution that attracts more and more participants every year. On Sunday 14 April 2019, nearly 600 participants crowded the start of the Dynastar X3, a new participation record. Without the dreadful weather forecast about ten days before the event, which slowed the last registrations and put off a few far-flung competitors, the figure would have been even higher. But, a miracle of nature, the forecasts completely reversed the day before the race and dream conditions under a magnificent sun awaited the triathletes for the 13.9 km (930 m elevation gain) by bike, 6.3 km (180 m elevation gain/loss) of trail running and 4.8 km (950 m elevation gain) of ski mountaineering, solo or in a trio team, from the Carrey crossroads (altitude: 830 m) to the summit of the Saulire (altitude: 2,710 m).
At 10 am, the starting signal was given. An impressive peloton set off under the start arch. Very quickly, a lead group led by Alexis Cleaz Savoyen followed by Loïc Suchet, Basile Salomon, Arnaud Mazet, Richard Sumpter and Loïc Gazzotti took the initiative. A little way back, the Italian Simone Eydallin hung on, with Sébastien Figliolini, Ludovic Colomb and Dorian Colliard on his wheel. At kilometre 4.5, on leaving the village of Saint-Bon, Alexis Cleaz Savoyen of the trio team dropped his breakaway companions and won this first leg alone in 42min27s. In the "Solo" category, Arnaud Mazet held off the comeback of Simone Eydallin, beaten by 5 seconds. Among the women, Laura Deplanche, a member of the French ski mountaineering team and 2018 winner in a trio, had decided to start solo this year. From the first pedal strokes she opened an irreversible gap on her pursuers, finishing the climb in 49min41s with more than 3 minutes in hand over Léna Bonnel (52min56s).
The arrival in the transition area on the snow front of Courchevel 1850 was spectacular: no time to rest, a quick "quick-change" to switch from the cycling leg to trail mode or, for the trios, a relay handover. This year, the forest trail loop was much faster. The night-time chill and a morning grooming had hardened the snow, giving optimal racing conditions. On this 2nd leg, the difference began to tell between the "solo" runners, who had the 13.9 km (930 m elevation gain) by bike in their legs, and the fresh "trio" runners. In this context, Louis Parent (23min40s) and Candice Bonnel (28min23s) played their cards well by taking the reference times. In the solo ranking, among the men, a big battle between Arnaud Mazet and Simone Eydallin separated by one minute under the banner. Among the women, Laura Deplanche kept the lead but saw Mélanie Jannerod, winner of the Red Bull 400 Courchevel 2018, coming back on her heels.
The final ski mountaineering leg promised to be sumptuous, with a number of athletes well trained over the winter season and on the "Millet Ski Touring Courchevel" in particular. Penalised by a technical problem in the transition area (a stubborn lace) and in the face of the forcing of Simone Eydallin, Arnaud Mazet was caught by the Italian at the foot of the Saulire, but he kept enough strength to snatch the victory from him and hold an 11-second lead at the end of a dizzying sprint after 2h04min21s of racing. Clément Molliet completes the podium in 2h08min21s.
Among the "solo" women, Laura Deplanche, a ski mountaineering specialist, went it alone and won in 2h30min03s ahead of Mélanie Jannerod (2h37min10s) and Marion Mathieu (2h45min24s).
The team "Les Sybelles Bonnel Toussuire" took its 3rd title in the "Women’s Trio" category in 2h13min55s with Léna Bonnel (2nd in the bike leg), Candice Bonnel (1st in the trail) and Lorna Bonnel, reigning ski mountaineering world champion in relay and team events, and individual world vice-champion (1st on skis).
Yann Gudefin (trio) posted the best overall time on the Saulire climb in 43min33s and enabled his team made up of Yoann Caillot (Cycling) and Roderick Assier (Trail) to take first place in the "Men’s Trio" category with a time of 1h56min32s.
In the "Mixed Trio" category, the Juillaguet family made up of Will Juillaguet (Cycling), Swann Juillaguet (Trail) and Catherine Juillaguet (Ski Mountaineering) continued their near invincibility and signed their 6th title in the category by winning in 2h11min57s.
The 8th edition of the "Dynastar X3 Courchevel" will take place on 19 April 2020, but before then, join us on 18 August 2019 for the "Felt X3 Courchevel" triathlon combining swimming, cycling and running, starting from Lake Bozel and finishing in Courchevel 1850.
