Round 9 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 7 February 2024

The second part of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel is off to a good start

Snowmaking has begun on the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel (MSTC) course to ensure good gliding conditions for the last 7 rounds. This legendary ski mountaineering race will end on Wednesday 20 March with the grand finale, punctuated by a concert by the band Deluxe in the L’Envolée hall in a high-voltage electro-pop atmosphere. The work done on the track received congratulations from all of the 130 participants present at this 9th round of the 2024 MSTC this Wednesday 7 February. The 3.2 km and 500 m of elevation gain of this course, which has become the Vertical Race benchmark, were once again perfect for fine performances.

Rémi Cantan stands out from the crowd.

Bronze medallist in the U23 category of the Vertical Race at the French Ski Mountaineering Championships held in Courchevel at the start of the season, Rémi Cantan of Caf Leman Les Vorosses added his name to the MSTC roll of honour. With a time of 23min48s, he won and climbed to second place in the Provisional Overall Standings (CGP) in the U23 category. Young hopeful Eliott Robin-Sage of the Maurienne Ski Alpinisme club, reigning Vertical Race vice-champion of France and 3rd in the VR at the 2024 European Championships in U20, took second place in 24min08s, a blistering time that put him top of the CGP among the U20s. Trail running uphill specialist Vincent Loustau, a member of the organising club Courchevel Sports Outdoor and of the Vibram team, scored his first podium of the season by stepping onto the 3rd step in 24min46s.

A 9th stage marked by the performance of young trail running prodigy Erwan Beydon of the Brooks team, 2023 YCC winner, who, after only 2 outings on ski touring equipment, climbed in 28min44s.

Poland’s Margarita Lokciewicz tops the podium

A week after discovering this race, finishing 4th in 31min50s, Poland’s Margarita Lokciewic won in 32min07s. Géraldine Bau took 2nd place in 33min10s, followed by Laura Fornay of the Club Multisports d’Arêche Beaufort, who finished 25 seconds later.

The top 5 was completed by Italy’s Martina Giachino in 34min04s and Switzerland’s Gabrielle Gachet in 34min43s.

A Dynastar special for Saint Valentine’s Day

A record turnout is expected next week with the return from the holidays. The 10th round will take place on Wednesday 14 February, Saint Valentine’s Day. For the occasion, a Dynastar special will liven up the event. Ski tests will be on offer all day on the Courchevel 1850 snow front and 2 pairs of Dynastar skis will be drawn by lot among the couples present. To identify the lovebirds, a kiss will be compulsory at bib collection, a good opportunity for regulars to motivate their other half to take part and for singles to find, perhaps, their soulmate.

Next date: Millet Ski Touring Courchevel on Wednesday 14 February 2024