Round 15 - DYNAFIT SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - 13 March 2013

Mathéo Jacquemoud and Blandine Du Crest at the top of the podium of the 15th Dynafit Ski Touring Courchevel.

After winning gold in the Individual event and bronze in the Vertical Race in the under-23 category at last weekend’s ski mountaineering World Cup in Andorra, Mathéo Jacquemoud of team Ecrin Hautes Alpes had come to this 15th round of the Dynafit Ski Touring Courchevel (DSTC) to set a new record. Starting 43rd in this ski mountaineering time trial, which brought together 96 competitors this Wednesday, Mathéo was in the tempo from the very first metres to improve the record he currently holds in 22min40s. But very quickly the aches from the weekend stopped him keeping the rhythm up to the finish. With a time of 23min36s he won this 3.2 km climb with 500 m of elevation gain, leaving his pursuers from the Arêches Beaufort Multisport Club out of reach, with Yoann sert taking second place in 25min20s ahead of Aurélien Dunand Pallaz in 25min48s.

Among the girls, Blandine Du Crest of the Courchevel Sports Alpinisme Club won in 31min28s ahead of Armelle Favre of CAF Vanoise in 35min23s and Ludivine Chauchaix in 35min24s.

ESF Challenge

This new edition was also the occasion for the ski instructors of the Courchevel ESF schools to take part in the first ESF ski mountaineering challenge. This challenge, proposed by the association “Courchevel Sports Alpinisme”, organiser of the DSTC, and the resort’s three ski schools, allowed instructors to come and defend the colours of their school. While many of them were present, these downhill professionals do not do so badly when it comes to climbing the slopes. Proof of that is Tony Portanier of ESF 1550, who came 5th in the scratch ranking and took first place in the ESF ranking in 26min15s. Armand Favre of ESF 1850 took second place in 35min52s ahead of Martial François of ESF 1650 in 36min54s. Among the women instructors, ESF 1850 filled the podium with Pauline Caillet , who won in 37min51s ahead of Isabelle Detouillon in 40min43s and Véronique Béné Tuaire in 40min45s.

The directors were also part of it, with Loic Lemoine of ESF 1550, who finished in 52min49s, and Christophe Normand of ESF 1850 with a time of 53min55s.

Next week, it will be the turn of the resort’s hoteliers to put on touring skis and take part in the Courchevel Hoteliers' Challenge.