In Andorra, the ISMF Skimountaineering World Cup sees Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg win the race right at the start. They are the winners of the Font Blanca, first stage of the race. In the Arcalis district, a few miles up from Ordino, a snowstorm forced the organising committee to a change of plan, so they had to lay out a new track race. A race that was run three times by the women’s Junior class and four times by the other athletes.

Despite the strong wind and the storm, the new formula brought about some really tough challenges with Michele Boscacci, the Italian champion, trying to bring home his second solo win at the Cup until the very end. After three rounds in the lead, his date with the highest step of the podium gave in to the all-out attack of the Spanish Kilian Jornet, who won in 1h 23’48”. Second place went to Michele Boscacci – 1h23’59”. In the contest for third place, it was the Swiss Werner Marti (1h24’50”) who won the day, with just 8” over the French Mathéo Jacquemoud.

They were followed by Xavier Gachet, Anton Palzer (first Espoir), William Bon Mardion, Rémi Bonnet (second Espoir), Robert Antonioli and Martin Anthamatten.

The women’s challenge (also run in four rounds) was won by Sweden, with Emelie Forsberg the first to hit the finishing line in 1h 43’15”. She shared the podium with the Spanish Claudia Galicia Cotrina, with 1h 43’25”. Third place for the other Spanish girl, Laura Orgué Vila – 1h 44’12”-, fourth place for Jennifer Fiechter. Fifth place for the French Laetitia Roux. The French champion, who was back after a long time recovering from surgery, led the race after the first round, then lost ground just before the end. Sixth place for Garcia Ferres Marta, and seventh place (first Espoir) for Alba De Silvestro. Martina Valmassoi, Nahia Quinciones Altuna and Mireia Mirò Varela made the top ten as well.

In the Junior class, first success of the season for the French Samuel Equy in 1h30’38” over Davide Magnini in 1h31’22” and Inigo Martinez de Albornoz Marques – 1h34’00”-. An Italian duo won the women’s Junior race with Giulia Compagnoni in first place with 1h22’45”, followed by Giulia Murada – 1h24’02”, while the third place went to the French Lena Bonnel – 1h24’44”-.

Now the individual challenge is over and done with, it will be the turn of the Vertical race in Arnisal tomorrow.

Photo Gallery HD

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bxbuxds-oXM6eHM5eUo5U3RNTjg&usp=sharing

Results are online on ISMF website

http://ismf-ski.org/www/content/races-result?id=151

Official results

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxbuxds-oXM6MDRWcU5tRXJFQTA/view?usp=sharing