In the individual race, the Catalan was flying solo. The Italians took both silver and bronze thanks to Robert Antonioli and Mattéo Eydallin. Maude Mathys from Switzerland regains her form and wins silver.
The World Championships in Verbier, Val de Bagnes continue in style. The conditions are perfect thanks to beautiful sunshine and great snow.
Killian Jornet untouchable
World Champion in the individual race in 2011, Kilian Jornet lost his title in 2013 in Pelvoux, France to Frenchman William Bon Mardion. This season, Kilian Jornet is in a different league. His opponents attempt to follow him. They try to catch him. But with no success. Up in Bruson, Italy’s Damiano Lenzi was one of them. In battle with the Spaniard, in the second descent, he pushed it too far and broke a ski. From then on, the Catalan Kilian Jornet was on his own, reminiscent of Saturday’s Vertical Race to Les Ruinettes. Finally, he beat the Italian duo Robert Antonioli and Mattéo Eydallin by more then 45 seconds. France’s Xavier Gachet just misses out on bronze by 6 tenths of a second. Anton Plazer from Germany, 5th, got the best time in the Espoir category where he took his 3rd gold medal in as many competitions.
No luck for the Swiss
Hopeful of a spot on the podium, Zermatt’s Martin Anthamatten finished 7th. Whilst battling for 2nd place his boot broke. “If that hadn’t happened, I could have taken a place on the podium. I’m disappointed but not beaten. I’ll come back stronger for the team race.”
Werner Marti from Bern has to do make do with 11th position. In the leading group at the start, the mountaineer from Grindelwald is pragmatic. “It’s really, really tough at the front. I tried to take a risk by leaving with the frontrunners. I had to drop back into the ranks.” Nonetheless, 11th is an excellent result.
The Haut-‐Valaisan Andréas Steindl had to abandon the race following a bad fall. “I pushed it too far on one descent. Luckily, I was more scared than hurt.” The Fribourgeois Steven Girard, who broke his boots twice, threw in the towel after the 2nd breakage. “I could barely keep skiing,” he said regretfully.
Race results are online on ISMF website