ACT 11 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 26 February 2020

11th Millet Ski Touring Courchevel: Jessica Pardin strengthens her second place overall!

The final stretch has begun before the grand fancy-dress final on Wednesday 18 March, followed by the Shy’m concert to close this “décima” with a bang. Winter was back for this 11th round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel, held this Wednesday 26 February in a snowstorm and under strong gusts of wind. Tricky conditions that nevertheless did not discourage the 119 ski tourers, still less the young cadet and junior competitors who came to contest their selection for the 2020 Ski Mountaineering European Championship, to be held in Italy at Madonna di Campiglio from 2 to 5 April. Among the cadets, Pierre Ferreol (Atma / Jarrienne des Cimes) in 26min56s and Loanne Roussillon (Maurienne Ski Alpinisme) in 33min08s won, as did the members of Team Isère Montagne, Pablo Giner in 25min15s and Perrine Gindre in 31min49s in the category above.

In the women’s race, Jessica Pardin made the difference with a blistering time of 27min17s, which allowed her to consolidate her second place in the provisional overall standings at the expense of Marianna Jagercokova, currently third overall in 27min49s, with Axelle Gachet-Mollaret keeping pole position in 25min45s. The podium of this 11th round was completed by Alice Niemaz Portanier (Courchevel Sports Outdoor) in 30min57s, who is sharpening up for the Pierra Menta, and by junior Perrine Gindre.

In the men’s race, Yoann Caillot won hands down in 23min42s ahead of juniors Pablo Giner (25min15s) and Anselme Damevin (25min37s).

Special mention for the mayor of Courchevel, Philippe Mugnier, also a ski instructor at the ESF Courchevel, who, through sheer perseverance, stepped onto the ESF Challenge podium for the first time with a fine third place snatched in 44min54s behind his colleagues from ESF Méribel, Jean-Louis Fillatre (32min28s) and Robin Baudin (27min56s). Pascale Gachet-Mauroz of the ESF Courchevel Village continued her harvest of victories in 38min32s, with her personal best in 38min32s for the 2020 season.

Next week, Nelson Monfort will be there!

On Wednesday 4 March, the 12th round will be marked by the presence of the famous sports journalist and patron of the race, Nelson Monfort, who will host the prize-giving and give many signed prizes to the participants. As usual, he will not fail to interview the winners with full knowledge: in 2012, he took part in the event in a time of 1h20min50s. A fine evening in prospect, promising fierce battles one week before the kick-off of the 35th Pierra Menta. Indeed, big names from the world of ski mountaineering or trail running are announced at the start of the 12th round of the MSTC, because before lining up for this legendary Beaufortain race, many athletes will come for a final intensity test on this Vertical Race course, which has been the benchmark for 10 years.

For this 10th edition of the “Millet”, the suspense will remain total until the epilogue of the grand final on 18 March, with €8,000 of prize money and €4,800 of shopping vouchers at stake. At this great ski mountaineering celebration, which will be the occasion to celebrate the race’s 10th anniversary, fancy dress will be the order of the day for participants, whose number will be limited to 500, with many surprises to liven up the evening. The start of the cascade race is set for 6 pm and the festivities will begin at 8 pm with the official prize-giving. From 9 pm, Shy’m will set the place on fire amid glitter and confetti. The concert is open to all, participants and spectators.