Dynastar X3 Courchevel: the 2024 edition in celebration
The 2024 edition was marked by the heat!
Dynastar X3 Courchevel: the 2024 edition in celebration
The emblematic event of the Courchevel resort has once again proved that it has its place in the calendar of sporting events. With nearly 700 entrants, the volunteers' work to organise and orchestrate this extraordinary triathlon as well as possible was well rewarded by the growing success of the race. This great celebration allowed athletes from different disciplines to meet, compete and share a friendly moment at the finish, with the presence of Bastien San Pedro , winner of the 2024 television show Koh-Lanta.
Tropical atmosphere for the 11th Dynastar X3 Courchevel
Each edition faces different weather and particular conditions: snow, cold, sun… This extraordinary triathlon, featuring the triptych of cycling, trail running and ski mountaineering, always holds surprises.
The 2024 edition was marked by the heat right from the start. 13.9 km of cycling with 930 m of elevation gain, followed by a 6.8 km trail running loop (180 m elevation gain/loss), finishing with 950 m of elevation gain in ski mountaineering: a cocktail of disciplines that is hard to digest! This Sunday 14 April 2024, intense heat was on the menu. The snow, turned heavy by the summer-like temperatures on the trail running and ski mountaineering sections, left its mark on the competitors. The flower garlands handed out on the Saulire finish line were welcomed with relief and crowned the atmosphere of the day nicely.
Top names going after the records
Although the specialists in each discipline had great ambitions, the records did not fall. Whether in the times of each leg or in the final combination, it seems the conditions were not favourable to top performances.
In the individual event, the big favourite and defending champion Yoann Sert finished in second place in 2h01'21'' behind Hautes-Alpes athlete Valentin Noebbes Tourres , credited with 2h00'30'', who kept his form well after his ski season. “It’s a great pleasure to prepare for the Dynastar X3 because in spring it’s the season when you feel like doing a bit of every sport. There’s snow, sun, the trails are starting to clear. I was able to get the bike out again and do some trail running. It’s such a hard race that it’s a real joy to win here,” said the winner once across the finish line. Young Savoyard Hugo Carcey Colley confirmed his 12th place at the Pierra Menta by completing the podium in a time of 2h02'39''.
Among the women, Lucie Bidault produced a lovely surprise. Back in competition after a complicated winter (injury), the Valloire athlete returned with panache and a smile to show that she has rediscovered good form. She won in 2h24'35''. “It’s an incredible event. You have to manage to handle the 3 legs while keeping up the pace. At every transition, you have to start a new effort, so it’s a really demanding event. I’m delighted, it couldn’t have gone better for me.” Young ski mountaineer Margot Ravinel, after a cautious start, took 2nd place at the finish in 2h26'28'', overtaking Courchevel Sport Outdoor member Fiona Porte 100 m from the finish line; Fiona was credited with 2h26'44'' after setting the best women’s cycling time.
In the trio events, among the men, team Blue Ice made up of Ludovic Huleux, Noé Claye and Lori Girard took the top step in 2h02'02''. In the women’s category, the WMSM team of Clarisse Monnet, Alexandra Garnier and Sonia Brussoz , who set the best ski mountaineering climb, recorded the best time in 2h11'45''. The mixed standings went to the Argousiers team of Drice Masson, Loanne Roussillon and Arthur Bouquet Des Chaux in 2h12'32''.
The afternoon ended in a friendly atmosphere at L’Envolée over a meal where everyone could chat and debrief. The prize-giving, in a festive atmosphere, allowed the day’s winners to take home a pair of skis donated by Dynastar before all the participants left with smiles on their faces, enough to motivate everyone for the summer version of the X3, the Björka X3 Courchevel. This competition, solo or in a team of three, will take place on Sunday 21 July with a sequence of 6,000 m of indoor rowing, followed by 12.2 km (750 m of elevation gain) of cycling, finishing with 9.6 km (550 m of elevation gain/loss) of trail running in an exceptional setting at the top of the Courchevel altiport!
Account by Fiona Porte
