The 2015 World Championship of Ski Mountaineering will take place in Verbier/Val de Bagnes from February 6 – 12th. Athletes and spectators alike will have an opportunity to discover some magnificent competition sites.

It is no accident that the ISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation) nominated Verbier/Val de Bagnes to organise the 7th World Championship of Ski Mountaineering. The proposed sites perfectly meet the requirements of a competition of this nature, both with regard to athletes and spectators as to the media and national and international television stations.

Five races on the agenda

Since 2011, in Claut, Italy, five races have been held during the “World Championships”. The contest opens with the sprint. A great show is guaranteed with this dynamic test which will take place on Friday February 6th at Champsec.
Like in 2014, during the World Cup, the Vertical Race is battled out between Médières and Les Ruinettes, where all those who attended the event at the beginning of the year will remember the insane final leg with the fight between Frenchman Mathéo Jacquemoud and Catalan skier Kilian Jornet.
The elites will take a rest on Sunday while cadets and juniors vie for the lead on the Vertical Race.
On Monday, the winner of the individual race will be decided on the Bruson site for the elites, as in 2014 during the World Cup. The juniors and cadets will race on the Tuesday.
The team race on Wednesday will undoubtedly be the most spectacular in the history of the World Championships, surrounded by the décor of the incomparable Mont-Gelé site. Athletes will be able to test the full extent of their talent on this mountain which will offer the audience a magnificently beautiful display. Spectators will be able to watch this competition virtually from start to finish.
The week will end on Thursday on the Champsec site for the relay race, a competition in which the Swiss excel, as is clear from the fact that they currently hold the European Champions and World Champions titles.

Excellent locals

Several athletes from Swiss Team come from the Val de Bagnes or surrounding areas. Florent Troillet, World Champion of the individual race in 2010, hopes to repeat his past achievements. Alan Tissières, Junior World Champion of the Vertical Race, also in 2010 in Andorra, can once again aspire to a world title, despite ever-tougher competition. Marcel Theux, European champion for the relay in 2012 notably accompanied by Alan Tissières, hopes to land a medal both for the sprint and for the relay. Thomas Corthay, World Champion for the sprint with the cadets in 2013, once again hopes to make it to the places of honour in the juniors. Arnaud Gasser from Verbier, Eugénie Tornay from Orsières and other young people from Swiss Team appear to have what it takes to make it to the top if they feel they have a warm, enthusiastic audience behind them.

Easily accessible

All the competition sites, be it Bruson, Champsec or Verbier, are easily accessible on foot or by ski lift. Due to this, large crowds of spectators are expected at all the events to experience these long-awaited World Championships with the athletes.