ROUND 18 - DYNAFIT SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - 4 April 2012

Yannick Buffet and Gaëlle Martin take the last of the season.

Despite the uncertain weather, 91 participants were present to celebrate the end of the season, and among them were some funny characters… Indeed, the organising association “Courchevel Sports Alpinisme” had planned everything to make this 18th and final climb of the Dynafit Ski Touring Courchevel (DSTC) as friendly and festive as possible by inviting competitors to come in fancy dress. Plenty of competitors played along and for some there was no lack of imagination and originality, as with Mireille Bartnicki dressed as an air hostess, Aymerick Mermoz as a pink panther, others as sumo wrestlers, marmots, pigs, beach attendants, rastas, Scotsmen, pirates, Native Americans… not forgetting Philippe Mugnier , deputy mayor of Courchevel, who for the occasion had decided to step into the shoes of the Mayor, Gilbert Blanc-Tailleur.

It was in this very friendly and relaxed atmosphere that Yannick Buffet of the Praz Montagne club won this 18th climb of 3.2 km and 500 metres of elevation gain in 25min34s ahead of William Perrier of the Club Multisports Arêches-Beaufort in 28min04s and Yoann Sert of CAF Moutiers in 29min45s. Also worth noting is the fine performance of Christophe Bette , a rowing specialist with an Olympic champion title and 5 world champion titles, who finished in 35min48s.

Among the girls, it was Gaëlle Martin of CAF Albertville who won the round in 34min 41s ahead of Adèle Milloz in 37min33s and Christine Gachet of CAF Vanoise in 38min43s.

A buffet prepared by the Chabichou restaurant was also offered to all participants in the Croisette hall at the prize-giving.

Before presenting the prizes for the season records, Gilbert-Blanc Tailleur , Mayor of the commune of Saint-Bon Courchevel, and Robert Gonzales , director of the Dynafit France brand, partner of the event, thanked all the participants and the organising association Courchevel Sports Alpinisme for the success of this event, which began on 14 December and which, Wednesday after Wednesday, after 18 rounds, has become the biggest French ski mountaineering race in number of participants, with 1,082 starts and 620 competitors ranked.

The 2011 – 2012 DSTC season for Laetitia Roux and Yannick Buffet.

A specialist in Vertical Race ski mountaineering events, winner last year of the first edition of the Dynafit Ski Touring Courchevel (DSTC) in 22min49s, world and European runner-up, French champion, Yannick Buffet won this new season with a new record of 22min29s ahead of Kilian Jornet in 22min34s and Valentin Favre in 23min18s.

With three French champion titles, two European champion titles and several World Cup wins this season, Laetitia Roux smashed the DSTC record held last year by Catalan Mireia Miro Varela (29min01s) with a new record of 28min12s ahead of Corinne Favre , who finished in 28min13s, and Gabrielle Gachet in 29min58s.

A cheque for €500 in vouchers for the shop “Camp de Base”, a pair of Dynafit touring ski boots worth €1,200, a Silva “X-Trail” headlamp and a pair of X-Rider sports glasses were offered to the two champions of this new season.

An original trophy was also awarded to the winners of each category.

Julie Blanc (42min05s) and Alexandre Chedal (42min11s) won among the minimes, Louise Borgnet (32min28s) and Simon Bellabouvier (27min18s) among the cadets, Axelle Mollaret (31min37s) and William Perrier (26min50s) among the juniors, Emilie Favre (30min21s) and Mathéo Jacquemoud (23min32s) among the espoirs, Laetitia Roux (28min12s) and Yannick Buffet (22min29s) among the seniors and Corinne Favre (28min13s) and Tony Sbalbi (24min35s) among the veterans.