As we approach the penultimate race of the season in Villars-sur-Ollon, here is the key information and media resources for the upcoming ISMF World Cup, featuring a Sprint on Friday, April 4 and a Mixed Relay on Saturday, April 5—both qualifiers for Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
Villars-sur-Ollon: A Premier Destination for Ski Mountaineering
Nestled in the Vaud Alps, Villars-sur-Ollon is a renowned Swiss ski resort with a strong commitment to ski mountaineering. Having already hosted multiple World Cup events and the 2019 World Championships, it is the 2nd consecutive year the resort welcome a Sprint and a Mixed Relay in the World Cup circuit.
More than 150 athletes set to compete at Villars
There will be a total of 143 athletes for the Sprint, including 64 women and 79 men, representing 25 nations, and 92 athletes for the Mixed Relay, which means 46 teams from 20 different countries.
We look forward to seeing if the end of the season brings any surprises on the podium.
Last year, the Sprint saw victories from Emily Harrop (FRA) in the women’s race and local athlete Robin Bussard (SUI) in the men’s competition. In the Mixed Relay, the Spanish duo Marta Garcia Farres and Oriol Cardona Coll took the win.
SPRINT RACE INFORMATION
📅 Friday, April 4, from 9:50 AM (CET)
📍 Location: Villars, Col Bretaye (1,808m), Canton of Vaud, Vaudoise Alps
About the track:
- Start: Mostly flat with a 12-16% incline.
- Diamonds: Three diamonds before a steep climb.
- Foot section: No steps, just diagonal lines with footsteps.
- Final stretch: A 10m steep skinning segment before the descent.
Downhill: A fast run with a short skating section for thrilling finishes.
Race schedule
09:50 – 10:11 – Qualification Women
10:15 – 10:41 – Qualification Men
10:57 – 11:53 – Heats
11:55 – Live broadcasting start (🔗 link to follow the LIVE)
12:02 – 12:27 – Semifinals
12:32 – Final Women
12:47 – Final Men
13:10 – Award Ceremony
MIXED RELAY RACE INFORMATION
📅 Saturday April 5, from 9:30 AM (CET)
📍 Location: Villars, Col Bretaye (1,808m), Canton of Vaud, Vaudoise Alps
About the track:
- First uphill section: A reverse approach with a classic zig-zag section, showcasing athletes’ kick-turn skills.
- Downhill: Begins with a traverse and easy gates, followed by a corridor returning to the sprint loop.
- Handover zone: Set on uneven terrain, requiring smooth and efficient transitions. Athletes in top shape may wait in the lower part to take the relay at full speed.
Second loop: Athletes will face a repeat of the course, adding to the race’s intensity and strategy.
Final Mixed Relay of the season!
Saturday marks the last Mixed Relay of the season! While it won’t be the last one before MiCo 2026, this race will determine the overall national winner for the season.
Current Standings:
1️⃣ Spain
2️⃣ Switzerland
3️⃣ France
4️⃣ Austria
All of them still have a chance to take the title! (📊 check the rankings here)
Race schedule
– 9:30 – Qualification Women
– 10:00 – Qualification Men
– 10:55 – Live broadcasting start (🔗link to follow the LIVE)
– 11:08 – Final A
– 12:45 – Final B
– 13:00 – Overall World Cup Nation Ranking for Mixed Relay discipline (End of season ceremony)
MEDIA LINKS
After each race, you will receive a race summary along with links to photos, the new cuts for TVs, and link to the full results.
Weather Conditions
We are expecting end-of-season conditions: particularly warm and sunny.
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 55 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.
For more info www.ismf-ski.org
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