ROUND 6 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 31 January 2018

Wins for William Perrier and Russia’s Ekaterina Osichkina in round 6 of the 2018 Millet Ski Touring Courchevel.

A rare celestial event awaited the 126 ski mountaineers entered in this 6th round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel: a superb "Blue Blood Moon" shone in the starry sky. The shadows of the fir trees were reflected as in broad daylight on the immaculate snow all along the course of this 3.2 km Vertical Race with 500 m of elevation gain between Le Praz and Courchevel 1850. As every Wednesday since 27 December, the runners set off one after another in a time trial from 6.20 pm under the start arch. For this race open to all, beginners and amateurs start first, with the elites closing the march, a well-oiled ritual that allows a grouped finish and, above all, lets the less experienced get a bit of a head start to avoid running the whole race at the back of the pack.

Winner of this 6th round, William Perrier, a member of the organising club Courchevel Sports Outdoor, won in 25min23s. The podium was completed by Alexandre Pellicier in 25min30s and Jean-Christophe Bette, one of the finest French records in rowing (Olympic gold medallist at the Sydney Games, 2 European champion titles and 5 world champion titles), in 25min33s.

First Russian victory!

As mentioned at round 5, the Millet Ski Touring is building its international reputation. After the USA’s win among the men last week with John Gaston, Russia did not want to be left behind. The honours go to Ekaterina Osichkina, a member of the Russian national team, in an excellent time of 27min48s, who ranks second in the provisional overall standings. This 19-year-old athlete already has an established record, with 2 European ski mountaineering champion titles as a cadet (2014 and 2016), 2 world champion titles in the junior category in 2017 (Sprint and Vertical Race events) and a junior World Cup win in the Vertical Race held last Sunday in Andorra. Lorna Bonnel of ESF La Toussuire, a regular at our competitions (double team winner of the extraordinary Dynastar X3 triathlon in 2015 / 2016 and 2nd in 2017), confirmed with second place in 29min19s ahead of Lula Martinez Perez of CAF Albertville in 31min15s.

Also worth noting are the remarkable performances of the youngest entrant of the evening, Titouan Vassards, 11 years old, who broke the time barrier in 57min30s, and of the oldest, Jean-Claude André , who, with bib 75, celebrated his 75th birthday in 1h01min52s.

In the ESF challenge, fine wins for Grégory Gachet of ESF Arêches in 26min53s and Lorna Bonnel of ESF La Toussuire in 29min19s.

At mid-season, after 6 rounds, 662 starts have been given for 431 ranked competitors. In the provisional overall standings, Xavier Gachet leads in 22min30s ahead of William Bon Mardion (23min10s) and American John Gaston (23min18s). Among the women, Axelle Mollaret dominates in 25min51s ahead of Russia’s Ekaterina Osichkina (27min48s) and Lorna Bonnel (29min19s).
In the ESF Challenge, Joris Perillat-Pessey of ESF La Clusaz remains leader in 23min57s and is ahead of Léo Rochaix of ESF Arêches (25min56s) and Killian Silvestre of ESF Peisey (26min07s). Among the women instructors, Lorna Bonnel of ESF La Toussuire takes the lead in 29min19s ahead of Célia Perillat-Pessey of ESF La Clusaz (30min10s) and Emily Harrop of ESF Aime 2000 (31min47s). Even though the countdown has begun, the fight remains lively at all these levels.

The great fancy-dress final on Wednesday 21 March, followed by an exceptional concert with Emile et Images , will close this season in a wild atmosphere. 7 rounds remain to shake up the standings, improve individual performances or set a time. With €8,000 of prize money for the final podiums, €4,800 of vouchers for the winners of each category and many prizes to be won by prize draw, the battle remains wide open. So, everyone get your skis on.