ROUND 16 - DYNAFIT SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - 21 March 2012

New record for Yannick Buffet!

A specialist in Vertical Race ski mountaineering events, winner last year of the first edition of the Dynafit Ski Touring Courchevel (DSTC), world and European runner-up, French champion, Yannick Buffet had announced last week at the Pierra Menta that he was coming and was determined to beat the provisional record of Kilian Jornet (22min34s) set at the French Ski Mountaineering Vertical Race Championship in Courchevel on 28 January. None of the 77 participants in this 16th round of the DSTC could imagine that Kilian’s performance could be improved, least of all after taking part in the “Pierra Menta” 3 days earlier.

Starting in 11th position in this time trial, Yannick found himself alone in front within a few minutes, facing himself and the ticking clock. At 22min, the last marshal, 200 metres from the finish, announced Yannick’s passing; he had only 34 seconds left to finish. Yannick appeared on the final descent, cheered by spectators who could not believe their eyes, and crossed the finish line with a new provisional record of 22min29s. A fine victory for Yannick, who says he is still a little tired after the “Pierra Menta” but will be back next week to try this time to go under the 22-minute mark and take on Kilian Jornet , who should also be there.

In second place in this 16th DSTC was Frédéric Thérisod of the Club Courchevel Sports Alpinisme, who finished in 26min44s, and William Perrier of the Club Multisports d’Arêches-Beaufort took third place in 27min05s.

Among the girls, it was Christine Gachet of CAF Vanoise who won in 35min44s ahead of Cécile Duc of the Club Courchevel Sports Alpinisme in 39min13s and Eva Laplace in 41min11s.

The concept of this original and friendly competition had won over the French fencing team last year, who did not hesitate to come back this Wednesday to climb these 3.2 km and 500 metres of elevation gain on touring skis before leaving this summer for the London Olympic Games.