The world’s best SkiMo athletes gathered today in the French Alps for the first Vertical race of the season.
The race was held on a well-known segment of 3.2 kilometers with 520 meters of elevation. Records were at stake – and the men’s record fell!
Courchevel, December 15, 2024 – Vertical races are the ultimate test of power and endurance, challenging athletes to achieve the fastest time on an uphill-only course. Today’s race followed a time-trial format on Courchevel’s renowned Millet Ski Touring Courchevel track.
Women’s Race: First Win of the season for Axelle Gachet Mollaret
Despite not feeling at her best, Axelle Gachet Mollaret claimed victory with a time of 25:30. She was closely followed by compatriot Emily Harrop (25:42.9) and Austria’s Sarah Dreier (25:57.5).
Axelle Gachet Mollaret remains the current record holder with a time of 23:41, set in 2022. Rounding out the top five were Italy’s Alba De Silvestro (26:16.4) and Spain’s Malek Osa Ansa (26:42.1).
Men’s Race: Rémi Bonnet breaks his own record
Switzerland’s Rémi Bonnet delivered an extraordinary performance, dominating the race with a time of 19:47.9 and breaking his previous record by nearly a minute (former record: 20:30).
His compatriot Aurélien Gay secured second place with a time of 21:38.2, followed closely by France’s Xavier Gachet (21:45.7). Completing the top five were France’s Jay Paul (21:46.6) and Belgium’s Maximilien Drion (21:46.7).
⏱️👉 Check the detailed times and ranking
The next World Cup event will take place in Shahdag, Azerbaijan, featuring three disciplines: Sprint, Vertical, and Individual.
About the ISMF:
Founded in 2007, the ISMF is the global governing body for competitive ski mountaineering. Since 2016, the organisation has been officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee. Its main goals are the promotion, regulation and development of the sport of ski mountaineering worldwide. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the ISMF’s membership consists of 52 national federations located in Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The ISMF organizes ski mountaineering Senior and Youth World Cups, as well as Masters and World Championships. For the first time, ski mountaineering was a medal sport at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland, and has been included in the programme of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games.
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