1st DYNAFIT MOONtain RACES COURCHEVEL - 5 June 2012

Julien RANCON and Julia COMBE open the season.

A real success for the launch of this 1st edition of the Dynafit Moontain Races Courchevel (DMRC), with 82 participants and exceptional weather. At 8.30 pm the starting signal was given. Emmanuelle Boddele, with bib 29, was the first to set off on this 9.3-kilometre time trial linking Courchevel 1650 to the Refuge du Grand Plan (2,280 m).

The course, marked by kilometre posts every 500 m, begins with a short technical descent of 100 m of elevation loss to the Lac de la Rosière before the 800 m climb and a first perilous crossing of the stream at the cascade des Poux, where you had to aim for the stones laid out by the organisers of the Association “Courchevel Sports Alpinisme” to keep your feet dry. Once past this obstacle, you still have to climb a few hundred metres on a pretty winding path dotted with wooden steps to reach the entrance of the Vallée des Avals and the first aid station, 5 km from the finish. At this point the finish is in sight, and to wait for the full moon to appear the organisers thought of everything: a balloon of electric light illuminates the highest point, where the refuge stands.

The varied course and the warm welcome of Lionel Blanc, the refuge keeper, delighted all the participants, notably Julien Rancon, reigning French mountain running champion of the team New Balance BV Sport, who, after starting in last position, won the climb in 47min59s ahead of Mickaël Blanchard in 52min20s and Cyrille Gardet of Team Salomon in 52min35s. Frédéric Thérisod of Team Dynafit Courchevel took fourth place in 52min37s and Vincent Delebarre (Alpana / Quechua), winner of the 2011 Courchevel X-Trail, finished tenth in 58min13s.

Among the women, Julia Combe of Team Brooks won in 1h02min38s ahead of Gaëlle Martin of Caf Albertville, who finished in 1h06min12s, and Sophie Haubois, who took third place in 1h08min43s.

The DMRC will continue every full-moon Tuesday evening (3 and 31 July and 28 August) until 2 October. At the end of the season, the titles of Northern Alps regional Skyrunning champion will be awarded to the season’s record holders, with in addition a €500 cheque and a complete Dynafit outfit worth €400.