Dynastar X3 Courchevel 2016: an undeniable success and a formidable field for this 4th edition.

Dynastar X3 Courchevel 2016: an undeniable success and a formidable field for this 4th edition.

This “extraordinary” triathlon once again lived up to all its promises, combining demanding disciplines (cycling – trail running – ski mountaineering). The event thrilled the some 500 competitors who devoured, solo or in teams, the 1,880 metres of elevation gain linking the lowest point of the resort of Courchevel, Le Carrey at 830 m, to the highest, La Saulire at 2,710 m: that is the “Dynastar X3 Courchevel”.

The weather forecasts for this Sunday 17 April were uncertain, which deterred a few competitors. But in the end the racing conditions were relatively good and the participation record was broken. The organisers of the club Courchevel Sports Alpinisme and the team of volunteers greatly contributed to the success of this competition.

Laetitia Roux, the reigning women’s champion and five-time ski mountaineering world champion, had to withdraw at the last moment, hampered by a minor injury, but she was keen to cheer on the runners: “It’s a bit frustrating not to be able to take part. It’s a race I’m extremely fond of and that suits me 100%. While waiting for next year, I’m coming to cheer on my friends.”

In the start pen, an elite of French sport rubbed shoulders: Yoann Sert, winner of the last 2 editions, Cédric Fleureton (3rd last year), triathlon vice-champion of Europe (2005-2006) and French trail running champion (2014-2015), Stéphanie Duc, French trail running champion in 2013, Corail Bugnard, winner of the Saintélyon last December, Germain Granger, 3rd in the 2015 “OCC”, Nicolas Lebrun (winner of the Dynastar X3 in 2013), 2005 Xterra world champion. Rowing was represented by Jean-Christophe Bette, gold medallist at the Sydney Olympic Games and 5-time world champion, as well as by Jérémy Pouge, also world champion in 2004 and 2005. The French ski mountaineering elite was keen to end the season in Courchevel: William Perrier solo, Axelle Mollaret, William Bon Mardion, Didier Blanc, Xavier Gachet and Alexis Sévennec in their respective teams. Last but not least, the last French road cycling world champion (1997), Laurent Brochard, did not want to miss this opportunity.

Cycling course: Le Carrey to Courchevel: 13.9 km, (930 m of elevation gain)

Start given at 10 am. A group quickly broke away with Mickaël Callego, Yoann Sert and Raphaël Pueyo. Cédric Fleureton was quickly dropped: “I didn’t have the legs, I felt it was going to be hard for me today.” In the women’s race, Laure-Anne Ferrent took the lead and opened up a gap on Stéphanie Duc, who gritted her teeth: “I know this triathlon well and I knew you have to keep something in reserve when you do the 3 events solo. Everything is decided on the ski mountaineering section. If you give too much on the bike and in trail running, you can run out of juice for the ski mountaineering and lose an enormous amount of time.” At the end of the cycling leg, among the solos, Mickaël Gallego in 40’27’’ and Laure-Anne Ferrent in 50’56’’ confirmed their good form by entering the transition park in the lead.

Trail running course: Bouc Blanc cross-country ski loop 6.3 km (180 m of elevation gain).

One minute to put on the trail running kit and off again on a hilly course entirely covered in snow: a hard snow that was relatively easy to run on compared with previous years. In this leg, James Theuri in 26’28’’ and Axelle Mollaret (winner of the 2016 Pierra Menta) in 29’50’’ set the best times.

Ski mountaineering course: Courchevel to La Saulire 4.8 km (950 m of elevation gain)

This is the moment of truth for the solos: poor nutrition or badly dosed effort over the 2 previous legs can overturn the established standings. The spectacle is magnificent with this line of ski tourers climbing the Saulire combe amid banks of cloud sliding over the peaks. Ski mountaineering world champion William Bon Mardion (40’46’’) and Corinne Favre (53’52’’) confirmed their superiority in this field.

Yoann Sert triples his stake and Stéphanie Duc reclaims her title.

And 1 and 2 and 3 victories for Yoann Sert, who, after winning the 2 previous editions, won again, setting the new “solo” record and going under the 2-hour barrier for the first time with a time of 1h59’30’’. After a difficult start to the season in ski mountaineering, Yoann finished in great form: “This triathlon suits me perfectly. I was a bit worried after the trail running section by Cédric Fleureton because I had been told he had made a great comeback and I knew he had good equipment this year for ski mountaineering. Halfway, at the foot of La Saulire, I turned round and didn’t see him, which reassured me.” In second position came the winner of the 2013 edition, Nicolas Lebrun, who finished in 2h04’02’’, improving his personal best by a little over 5 minutes. Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz completed the men’s podium in 2h04’29’’.

In the women’s race, Stéphanie Duc, winner of the 2013 edition and 2nd last year, won in 2h38’49’’, hotly pursued by Mélanie Jeannerod (2h39’45’’). Alexandra Borrelly Lebrun, master cross triathlon world champion, took a fine third in 2h49’33’’.

Among the teams, the Bonnel family team with Lorna, Candice and Léna kept its title in the women’s category in 2h34’51’’. For the men, Clément Maertens, Alexis Sévennec and Didier Blanc won in 1h55’51’’. Since 2013, the Juillaguet family has sat at the top of the mixed teams podium, this year with Swann, Robin and Catherine, who completed their course in 2h08’43’’.

At the summit of the Saulire, exhausted, drained but with the feeling of having given everything, smiles returned to the runners' faces. The spectators, who had come in great numbers, congratulated the athletes, not forgetting the trail running legend, the Nepalese Dawa Sherpa, who crowned the participants with Hawaiian flower garlands as they crossed the finish line.

Given the growing success of this unmissable event for mountain sports enthusiasts, the date is set for the 2017 edition, which will take place on 16 April 2017. Registration is already open on the Courchevel Sport Alpinisme website.