ROUND 17 - DYNAFIT SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - 28 March 2012

The 17th for Sébastien Bedu and Ludivine Chauchaix.

Following the clock change, the 57 participants of this 17th and penultimate Dynafit Ski Touring Courchevel (DSTC) did not need headlamps to complete this 3.2 km ski mountaineering climb with 500 metres of elevation gain before nightfall. Sébastien Bedu of the Club des Sports de Tignes finished on the highest step of the podium for the second time this season in 25min25s ahead of Frédéric Thérisod of the Courchevel Sports Alpinisme club in 26min45s and William Perrier of the Club Multisports d’Arêches-Beaufort, who took third place in 26min50s. Among the girls, it was Ludivine Chauchaix who won in 35min12s ahead of Cécile Duc of the Courchevel Sports Alpinisme club in 38min50s and Stéphanie Hudry of CAF des Belleville in 39min04s.

Also worth noting are the fine performances ofAlexandre Chedal, the youngest participant of the evening (born in 1999), who finished in 48min52s, of Philippe Mugnier, deputy mayor of the commune of Saint-Bon Courchevel, who finished in 46min28s, of Laurent Setiey, manager of the estate agency “Vallat Immobilier”, in 38min47s, of Nicolas Rochedy, manager of the hotel “Le Chabichou”, in 37min37s and of Benoit Boitte, director of the resort’s Technical Services, in 39min33s.

The duel between Kilian Jornet and Yannick Buffet had been announced for this 17th climb, but for various reasons the two champions postponed the meeting to next Wednesday for the final climb. Laetitia Roux , holder of the provisional women’s record (28min12s), and other members of the French team should also be there next week.

While for some the race for the record will be the main goal next week, it will be quite different for the other participants of this final evening, which promises to be particularly festive.

Get your fancy dress out for the last Dynafit Ski Touring Courchevel climb!

Following the success of last season’s final climb, when most competitors came in fancy dress to take part in the last DSTC climb, the organisers of the Courchevel Sports Alpinisme association have decided to repeat the experience by offering free registration for the final on 4 April to all participants who come in fancy dress.

A closing meal prepared by the Hôtel Le Chabichou will also be offered to all competitors at the prize-giving in the Croisette hall from 8 pm.

This final climb will of course be timed and counted towards the season standings, which began on 14 December.

At the end of this last climb of the season linking Le Praz to Courchevel 1850, the 3 best men and women of this 18th DSTC will be rewarded and a special prize will be awarded to the men’s and women’s records of the 2011-2012 season (prize money of €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). The winners of each category will also receive an original trophy offered by the Maison de la Presse du Forum.

A fine festive and friendly evening in prospect, not to be missed under any circumstances by all ski mountaineering enthusiasts and amateurs.