Dynastar X3 Courchevel 2021, the extraordinary triathlon is back!

Dynastar X3 Courchevel 2021, the extraordinary triathlon is back!

After 2 years' absence following the cancellation of the 2020 edition because of the pandemic, the 2021 edition, initially planned for Sunday 18 April, came close to being cancelled again following the restrictions announced in early April by the government. This eagerly awaited event in the sporting world has become unmissable for all mountain sports enthusiasts. The organisers from the Courchevel Sports Outdoor club, never shy of rolling up their sleeves to find solutions to every problem, made a first postponement to Sunday 16 May. Finally, with the easing of restrictions planned from 19 May, the 2021 edition will be kicked off on Sunday 23 May. In order to strictly respect health rules, this edition, exceptionally limited to 400 competitors, will take place behind closed doors and will be broadcast on the TV 8 Mont-Blanc channel and on the Courchevel Sports Outdoor Facebook page. Starts will be given as a time trial from 9.30 am to 12.15 pm every 30 seconds from Le Praz on a brand new course.

To complete this extraordinary competition, triathletes must link together, solo or in relay teams of three, a 13.1 km cycling climb (840 m of elevation gain) from Courchevel Le Praz (altitude 1,260 m) to the Saulire cable car departure (altitude 2,073 m), where the base camp (change between disciplines) will be located. The 6.8 km trail course (300 m of elevation gain/loss) will pass via the now famous Col de la Loze (altitude 2,304 m). The race will end with the classic Saulire climb over 3.1 km on ski mountaineering skis (630 m of elevation gain), with a finish in a Hawaiian atmosphere with the presentation of flower garlands and finisher medals to every competitor. In total, competitors will cover 23 km with 1,770 m of elevation gain.

An international field expected for this vintage edition.

The defending champion, Laura Deplanche, a member of the French Ski Mountaineering team, will attempt the double after winning the extraordinary summer triathlon “Felt X3 Courchevel” (a combination of indoor rowing, cycling and trail running in 2020). There is great suspense in the women’s race for this 2021 edition with the presence of the 2018 winner (3rd in 2017), Slovak Marianna Jagercikova, sprint vice-world champion and bronze medallist in the overall standings of the 2021 Ski Mountaineering World Championships, plus second place overall in the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2021. We must also reckon with Corinne Favre, 1998 Skyrunning world champion and a die-hard fan of this triathlon: 3rd solo in 2015 and 4th in 2017, 2nd in a team in 2016. Triathlete Alexandra Borrelly, 3rd in the event in 2016, 2012 French long trail vice-champion Fiona Porte and ski mountaineer Clémence David, U23 winner at the Millet Ski Touring 2021, should also join the fight for the podium.

Winner in early April of the prestigious Italian ski mountaineering race the Adamello, William Bon Mardion, 6th in the individual overall standings and 9th in the 2021 World Cup overall, will try for a 3rd title in this extraordinary Dynastar X3 triathlon after his wins in 2017 and 2018. Winner of every individual ski mountaineering World Cup race this season except the first, and in doing so picking up the Little Globe for the discipline, Italian Matteo Eydallin will be a serious contender, as will his compatriot Simone Eydallin, second in the last edition of this triathlon, 5 seconds from victory.

Three-time winner in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Yoann Sert will be keen to return to winning ways. Cédric Fleureton winner of the 2021 Felt X3, with an impressive international record in triathlon and trail running, will be among the favourites despite a lack of ski mountaineering practice. Spanish professional triathlete Victor Del Corral Morales, with his many international wins in triathlon and Ironman, will have his say, as will Nicolas Lebrun , who was part of the world elite in Duathlon, Xterra and Winter Triathlon. Currently technical director of Xterra Europe, he added to his record with a win in the first edition of the Dynastar X3 in 2013, followed by a second place in 2016.

The list of potential podium contenders is not exhaustive and can be completed with the well-known trail runner/influencer Yoann Stuck , who twice finished second at the EcoTrail de Paris and won silver on the 6000 D, ski mountaineer Maxime David , winner of the Millet Ski Touring 2021 in the U18 category, cyclist/influencer Nicolas Raybaud, triathlete Yanis Fleureton, the cyclist Julien Lodolo, winner of the Haute Route Mont Ventoux in 2017, and biathlete Morgane Lamure 3rd in a team in 2019.

In the team categories, skier Candice Bonnel, 2019 women’s trio winner, will be joined this year byAlice Niemaz on cycling and Laurie Renoton on ski trail. Also worth watching is the men’s team ofEric David (winner in the mixed team category in 2018), who will team up with cyclist Dominique Colliard and Cédric Colliard (trail). In the mixed category, the surprise could come from the British trio made up of John Thomas on the bike,Amy Beattie on trail and Dave Beattie on ski mountaineering

An excellent vintage for this 2021 edition and a spectacle in prospect that you can follow live on Sunday 23 May.