ROUND 6 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 22 January 2020

Jessica Pardin and Jonas Buchot win the 6th round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel.

After 2 intense weeks of ski mountaineering in Courchevel (5 competitions on the programme, including the individual event of the French Championship with 716 competitors in total), the 6th round of the “Millet Ski Touring Courchevel” saw a relative return to calm, with 87 runners at the start. This prolific period also saw the feat of Rémi Bonnet, who wiped Kilian Jornet's record off the books at the “Chrono des Champions” by setting a new reference time of 21min20s at the end of a breathtaking finish with Xavier Gachet (21min37s), also under the 22-minute mark.

The performance of the day goes to Jessica Pardin. The member of the Arêches Beaufort Multi Sports Club finished in 27min42s and moved into second place in the provisional overall standings behind Axelle Gachet-Mollaret (25min45s). In this 6th climb, she finished ahead of the Méribel women Patricia Serda (32min37s) and Véronique Lathuraz (33min13s).

Among the men, a first victory for Jonas Buchot of the Maurienne club “la Jarienne des Cimes”, who won in 24min29s after a fine battle with Arnaud Mazet (24min44s). Paul Jay, a loyal follower of the event, completed the podium in 25min58s.

Next week, the Écoles du Ski Français will be in the spotlight

Historic partners of the MSTC since its origin in 2010, the resort’s 4 Écoles du Ski Français have contributed effectively to the development of this competition. For 6 years they have also benefited from a specific challenge dedicated to all the ski instructors across the country. A special ranking allows them to position themselves, so as to name the best performers among them at the end of the season. For this 6th round, the ESFs of Pralognan and Les Menuires stood out with wins for Armelle Favre (38min42s) and Paul Jay (25min58s).

In the overall standings, among the women, Emily Harrop, ESF Plagne 2000, leads the way in 28min14s ahead of Laura Deplanche, ESF La Toussuire (28min45s) and Candice Bonnel, ESF Valmorel (29min28s). Among the instructors, the fight is open, with the first 3 within 4 seconds. The current podium is made up of Joris Perillat Pessey, ESF La Clusaz in 22min35s, Alexis Sévennec, ESF Morzine in 22min38s, and Thibault Anselmet, ESF Bonneval sur Arc in 22min39s.

To celebrate this 6th anniversary in style, and before the February holiday rush, the ESFs will be in the spotlight next week, with free registration for all ESF instructors.

Next Wednesday will also be the occasion to take stock at mid-season, after 7 of the 14 rounds on the programme. The countdown will then begin to the grand fancy-dress final on Wednesday 18 March, followed by an exceptional concert by Shy’m, who will perform her greatest hits accompanied by her dancers. A choreographed show that promises a wild atmosphere to close this season and celebrate the “Décima” of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel in a blaze of glory. An evening not to be missed under any circumstances! Tickets are on sale online on the race website for spectators and participants and, from next week, at the resort’s tourist offices and at the ice rink office at the Forum in Courchevel 1850.