ROUND 9 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 21 February 2018

Yoann Sert and Clémence David win the 9th Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2018.

The end of the 2018 Millet Ski Touring Courchevel season is fast approaching: only 3 rounds remain before the fancy-dress grand final on Wednesday 21 March. And this year, after “Chanter les abeilles” with La Compagnie Créole in 2016 and “Les serviettes” with Patrick Sébastien in 2017, it will be the turn of “Les Démons de minuit” with Emile et Images to bring this edition to a grand close, not forgetting the evening’s other surprises.

But before the party, competitors will still have to sweat to improve their respective performances or break into the 2018 rankings. The hunt for the overall podium places is entering its decisive phase. After the European ski mountaineering championships, which take place this week in Sicily, the favourites should line up at the start of the next rounds.

A record level of participation was registered this Wednesday 21 February for this 9th round, with 144 participants on the start line. Winning in 23min29s the 3.2 km and 500 m of elevation gain ski touring ascent from Le Praz to Courchevel 1850, Yoann Sert took 4th place in the provisional overall standings and is breathing down the neck of the American John Gaston, 3rd, 11 seconds ahead. The Italian Simone Eydallin (24min52s) and Sébastien Bedu (25min14s) completed the top three.

Among the women, there was suspense, with 3 of them within a minute. In the end, Clémence David snatched her 1st victory at the “Millet” in 32min40s ahead of 2 podium regulars: Lula Martinez Perez (33min16s) and Stéphanie Pommat (33min32s).

In the ESF Challenge, Yannick Costaz of the ESF Aime 2000 and Armelle Favre of the ESF Pralognan la Vanoise made the most of the occasion with respective times of 29min28s and 35min36s. Worth noting in passing is the fine initiative of Pascale Gachet Mauroz of the ESF Courchevel Village, a faithful participant in all Courchevel Sports Outdoor competitions since the start of the season. She came along with her English clients to introduce them to this race, of which she is particularly fond. A conclusive and promising experience for Serena Jenks (1h20min54s) and Julian Thomson (1h21min16s), who brought up the rear with a smile and a strong desire to come back.

This 9th round shone a spotlight on 2 of our partners: the company Petzl presented its latest head torch models as well as its range of products essential for ski mountaineering. By our side for several seasons, La Piste Noire, a chocolate shop in Courchevel 1850, comforted the competitors at the finish by handing out delicious chocolates.

In one month, the verdict of this season will be delivered…

On Wednesday 21 March 2018, the evening will begin at 6 pm with some 600 ski mountaineers in fancy dress on the start line of this final round, the high point of this competition, held every Wednesday since 27 December. It is a fine spectacle that can be watched right up to the finish in Courchevel 1850, using the Le Praz lift, free for the occasion, and a shuttle service that will bring everyone back to the event hall in the l’Envolée gymnasium at the foot of the Olympic Ski Jumps. It will continue from 8 pm with the buffet and the prize-giving ceremony. The concert will begin at 9 pm for a magical evening.

Registration for the final, the buffet and the concert is now open (please note: places are limited).

Participant price ►€15 for participants in fancy dress and €25 for those not in fancy dress (race and buffet included)

Spectator prices ► €25 without buffet and €35 with the buffet