Kilian has won the first stage of the World Cup, the Italian Antonioli was second, while William Bon Mardion was third. The women’s section was completely dominated by Laetitia Roux, followed by Mathys Maude. The Italians Nicolini and De Silvestro won the Junior category. Tomorrow the Vertical Race will be staged.
On Bruson (Val de Bagnes) snow, a few kilometres from Verbier in Switzerland, the first trial of the Scarpa ISMF World Cup circuit has taken place. Athletes representing 15 nations undertook a 13.7 kilometre trail with a 1,700-metre altitude gain. Four climbs were tackled with three sections faced on foot with skis in backpacks.
Kilian’s intentions were clear right from the start, the Spanish champion immediately took up one of the first positions together with Michele Boscacci, Robert Antonioli, Damiano Lenzi and William Bon Mardion.
At the end of the first uphill slope Kilian already had a head start over Michele Boscacci and Robert Antonioli. On the next ascent, behind Kilian’s two followers, were Damiano Lenzi, William Bon Mardion and Manfred Reichegger with Matheo Jacquemoud.
On the spectacular descent things did not change, the positions remained unchanged even on the third ascent. The supporting positions of the race were decided on the last descent, Antonioli was already slightly favoured over his teammate Michele Boscacci, but it was William Bon Mardion who followed perfectly the lines of the descent overtaking Boscacci and taking the third place. At the finish line Kilian closed with a time of 1:32’15” about thirty seconds before Robert Antonioli. Wiliam Bon Mardion was third with 1:33’32”. Boscacci was in fourth position, while Damiano Lenzi ran a great race and came fifth.
In the women’s section the outstanding French Laetitia Roux confirmed her leadership of last season’s World Cup with a victory over the Swiss Mathys Maude. In the third position was the young Axelle Mollaret.
As regards the outcomes the podium positions were defined right from the early stages of the race, Roux took off in front of Mathys and her teammate Axelle Mollaret. Roux won with a time of 1:52’43, Maude Mathys was second with 1:58’43”. Axelle Mollaret climbed onto the third step of the podium with 2:00’11”.
In fourth and fifth place Emelie Forsberg and Bertrad Dusautoir qualified respectively. The sixth position of the Italian Martina Valmassoi deserves a mention.
In the Junior M category Federico Nicolini won over Oriol Cardona Coll and his teammate Luce Faifer. In the female section Alba De Silvestro won, Giulia Compagnoni was second, while Sophie Mollard was third.
Tomorrow, on the slopes between Verbier and Les Ruinettes the Vertical Race will be staged, thus closing the first weekend of the World Cup. The Seniors will race on a route with 755 metres of altitude gain, while the female athletes of the Junior category will have to deal with an altitude gain of 619 metres. The start will be at 10 am.
Results
1. Kilian JORNET BURGADA – 1:32’15”
2. Robert ANTONIOLI – 1:32’43”
3. William BON MARDION – 1:33’32”
4. Michele BOSCACCI – 1:33’48”
5. Damiano LENZI – 1:34’09”
1. Laetitia ROUX – 1:52’43”
2. Maude MATHYS – 1:58’43”
3. Axelle MOLLARET – 2:00’11”
4. Emelie FORSBERG – 2:01’23”
5. Bertrad DUSAUTOIR – 2:04’29”