Villars-sur-Ollons – Day of firsts in Villars-sur-Ollons, Switzerland, on the first day of competition of the ISMF World Cup Sprint race, with Swiss young rising star Robin Bussard (SUI) grabbing the gold medal. On the women’s race, it was Emily Harrop (FRA) dominating the race from the start, a fantastic hat-trick for the French skimo star that has won three races in just 7 days.
The day was magnificent in Villars, with over 100 athletes facing a technical, fast and tricky sprint circuit. The day started with a super strong Swiss team dominating the Heats on the men’s category -Arnaud Gasser, Thomas Bussard, Matteo Favre, Robin Bussard and Arno Lietha all making it to the semifinals. And the big surprise of the day was Oriol Cardona (ESP). The Spaniard, who has dominated the Sprint races this season, current World and European champion, was not able to make it to the semis, after finishing last on his heat after losing one ski on the diamonds.
Robin Bussard dominated his semifinal easily, while the second semi was won by Thibault Anselmet (FRA). Both securing their ticket to the final, they were accompanied by Arno Lietha, Thomas Bussard, Nicolo Canclini (ITA) and Maximilien Drion du Chapois (BEL).
Robin Bussard pushed hard from the start, and by the time the athletes were about to face the descent, the podium places were secured by the young Swiss, still a U23 athlete, while Anselmet finished in second place and Canclini rounded the podium. Fourth place for the Belgian athlete, Maximilien, while Arno Lietha and Robin’s twin brother, Thomas, was sixth.
The women’s race was easily dominated by Emily Harrop, who seems to be in incredible form after striking two golds just five days ago in Boi Taull ISMF World Cup -sprint and mixed relay-, and today in Villars-sur-Ollons winning her Heat, her semi final and the final.
She seemed to be unbeatable on the day, with Marianne Fatton (SUI), for much delight of the local crowds, grabbing the silver medal finishing four seconds behind the Frenchwoman. Celia Perillat-Pessey finished in the third place, exactly the same position she got in Boi Taull last week.
Tatjana Paller (GER), also a U23 athlete, finished in fourth place, followed on the finish line by Ana Alonso (ESP) and Katia Mascherona (ITA).
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 49 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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