Round 4 & 5 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 14 and Friday 16 January 2026

The world’s ski mountaineering elite in Courchevel 

Ski mountaineering was in the spotlight in Courchevel this week, with the World Cup Sprint and Vertical Race (VR) combined with two rounds of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel (MSTC). 

After three MSTC races held on the alternative course, the long-awaited return of the snow made it possible to open the official climb between Courchevel Le Praz and Courchevel 1850 this Wednesday 14 January for round 4. 

The 144 ski mountaineers entered were once again able to test themselves over the 3.2 km and 500 m of elevation gain of this Vertical Race, which has become a true institution.
Six-time winner of the extraordinary Dynastar X3 Courchevel triathlon, Yoann Sert set the first benchmark time of the season in 24 minutes, ahead of Ambroise Reynaud (25min47s) and Rémi Berchet (26min01s).

Among the women, Marie-Charlotte Iratzoquy opened her account in 28 min 26 s. She won ahead of Martina Giachino (31min34s) and Agathe Fiorucci (33min25s).

Emily Harrop and Oriol Cardona Coll win the World Cup Sprint 

On Thursday 15 January, the World Cup Sprint course was in the spotlight, with 12 live television broadcasts, three of them in the French market. All eyes were on the world number 1 in the discipline, Courchevel’s own Emily Harrop, who triumphed on home ground once again.
In her wake, Margot Ravinel (Club de Chamonix), winner of the first Sprint race in Solitude (USA), took a superb second place. This result should secure her ticket to the Milan–Cortina Olympic Games (confirmation expected on 20 January), where she will join Emily , already selected for the Sprint on 19 February and the Mixed Relay on 21 February. 
Italy’s Giulia Murada completed the podium ahead of Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton and Germany’s Tatjana Paller.

Among the men, Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll did the double on this course, following his win last year. He finished ahead of Thibault Anselmet and Nikita Filippov. The Swiss pair Arno Lietha and Jon Kistler finished in the places of honour. 

Rémi Bonnet and Axelle Gachet-Mollaret untouchable in the Vertical Race 

On Friday 16 January, predictions were flying ahead of the World Cup Vertical Race, held on the legendary MSTC course.
With 225 rounds, 26,885 starts and 15 years of history, this VR course has become an absolute benchmark for the discipline. 

For the occasion, an Open race, open to all, allowed 130 ski mountaineering enthusiasts, including ultra-trail legend François d’Haene (25min34s), to test themselves against the world’s best. The Open participants started one hour before the athletes selected for the World Cup, in a time trial and under the same conditions.
The Open and World Cup times were counted towards the standings for MSTC round 5. 

After 23min40s, the verdict came in: eight-time MSTC winner Axelle Gachet-Mollaret won just 2 seconds off the record she set last year (23min38s). Emily Harrop confirmed her progress in this discipline and took second place in 24min21s , smashing her personal best by more than a minute. Austria’s Sarah Dreier completed the podium in 25min08s. Just off the podium, Margot Ravinel (25min40s) and Italy’s Giulia Murada (25min43s) fought out a fine battle.

The only athlete in MSTC history to have gone under the 20-minute mark, with a stratospheric time of 19min47s set last year, Switzerland’s Rémi Bonnet (5-time MSTC winner) made his mark once again. He won in 20 min 02 s. His compatriot Aurélien Gay also set a personal best of 21min08s (the 3rd best in MSTC history) and took the silver medal. He beat Spain’s Oriol Cardona Collat the finish; Oriol was third in 21min13s, the fourth-best performance in MSTC history.

4th place went to Austria’s Paul Verbnjak (21min14s), ahead of 2026 French Vertical Race champion Samuel Equy (21min25s). 

An end to the season that promises to be intense, thrilling and spectacular 

The countdown to the finale of the 16th MSTC season will begin after round 6 on Wednesday 21 January. A mid-season review will be drawn up before the final 5 rounds of this edition, which will end on Wednesday 25 February with the great fancy-dress final, bringing together more than 1,500 participants. 

To celebrate the 16th edition, which will take place after the Milan Cortina Olympic Games, the organisers are promising the most explosive, immersive and futuristic final in history, with an exceptional concert byOfenbach. 

Next event: Millet Ski Touring Courchevel – Wednesday 21 January 2026