ROUND 15 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 9 March 2022

The “Millet Ski Touring Courchevel”: an international benchmark in ski mountaineering

This Vertical Race course, 3.2 km long with 500 m of elevation gain between Le Praz and La Croisette in Courchevel, has won international renown since its creation in 2011, as shown by its hosting of the French Championships in 2012, 2013 and 2022 and a World Cup round in 2014. The world’s elite of the discipline have battled it out on this climb, with prestigious winners. Among the women, Spain’s Mireia Miro Varela (2011), Laetitia Roux (2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016), Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg (2013) and Axelle Gachet Mollaret (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021) have all put their names on the roll of honour. Among the men, Yannick Buffet (2011 and 2012), Mathéo Jacquemoud (2013 and 2016), Catalonia’s Kilian Jornet (2014 and 2015) and the two Swiss, Marti Werner (2017) and Rémi Bonnet (2018, 2019 and 2020) and Thibault Anselmet (2021) have succeeded one another at the top of the bill. This 12th season is no exception. At the head of the provisional standings, Axelle Gachet Mollaret and Yoann Sert will defend their positions until the final. If among the women Axelle seems well placed with her new record of 23min54s, there is no doubt that Emily Harrop (26min15s) and Jessica Pardin (26min23s) will fight until the end of the race. Among the men, Yoann Sert after his epic battle in round 13 against Kilian Jornet holds pole position in 21min41s ahead of the Catalan (21min53s). Thibault Anselmet, the title holder, remains lurking in 22min02s. As often in previous seasons, the decision will be made at the final.

Corinne Favre and Paul Jay win round 15

The final stretch before the grand final. 62 competitors crowded the start of this 15th round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2022, held in parallel with the Pierra Menta. After taking the 2022 master world ski mountaineering title in Vertical Race and Individual last weekend in Piancavallo, Italy, Corinne Favre won with authority this Wednesday 9 March in 28min57s, consolidating her lead in the overall standings in the O40 category. In second place, Véronique Lathuraz, also leader of the women’s S3V challenge, in 31min32s, held off the attacks of Manon Morin, who, in 33min28s, set her best time of the season.

Among the men, it was a day of glory for Paul Jay. The ESF instructor from Les Ménuires won without a fight in 23min49s and took the lead in the ESF challenge. A regular on the podium (his 7th this year), Jean-Christophe Bette took the 2nd step in 26min04s, a few seconds ahead of the bronze medallist in Vertical at the 2022 master world championships, David Poncet, third in 26min32s.

Worthy of note is the fine performance of the former mayor of Courchevel, Philippe Mugnier, who set his best time of the season in 42min01s.

Friday 18 March: special Full Moon round for the 16th and penultimate round before the great ski mountaineering party.

Next week, the penultimate round of the season will take place on an unusual day, Friday 18 March, because of the Alpine ski World Cup finals. This special “Full Moon” 16th round will be held under the full moon and a pair of Plum R150 bindings will be drawn from among all the participants. Nepal’s Dawa Sherpa will also be there. At the prize-giving ceremony, a cheque for €1,000 will be presented to him for his association Parrains et Marraines du Népal. This sum represents the donations collected during the tribute to Patrice Gibaud on 2 February.

Wednesday 23 March: the grand final

This 17th and final stage will bring together almost all of the medallists at the 2022 European Championships and World Cups, as well as the athletes who stood out in the 36th Pierra Menta. This last showdown promises to be intense. In this context, nothing is settled for the final podiums and the €8,000 of prize money and €4,800 of shopping vouchers at stake. Alongside them, most of the competitors will simply come to unwind and enjoy this exceptional evening.

This grand final of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2022, set for Wednesday 23 March, will have as its highlight the exceptional concert by Louis Bertignac.

For this great ski mountaineering party, which will bring together around 500 participants and as many spectators, Guillaume Prin, president of Courchevel Sports Outdoor Mountaineering and Climbing, and his whole team will do everything to make the evening a success after 2 years away. The start of the traditional fancy-dress climb is scheduled for 6 pm at Le Praz. Plenty of surprises will liven up the start and finish areas. Spectators will be able to come and cheer on the runners and admire their costumes, taking advantage of the Praz gondola, free for the occasion and open until 11.30 pm, to reach the finish in Courchevel 1850. From 8 pm, the buffet will be open to participants with the prize-giving ceremony hosted by Ludovic Collet. At 9 pm, it will be the turn of Louis Bertignac, who will set the evening alight with his greatest hits and covers of the band Téléphone, and more besides… A great atmosphere in prospect.

Next events:
16th round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel: Friday 18 March
Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2022 final / Louis Bertignac concert: Wednesday 23 March