ACT 12 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 4 March 2020

Nelson Monfort on the microphone at the 12th round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2020.

Perfect conditions awaited the 104 ski mountaineers at the start of the 12th round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel (MSTC) this Wednesday 4 March to climb the 3.2 km and 500 m of elevation gain between Courchevel Le Praz and Courchevel, but that was not all. Indeed, today’s most famous sports journalist, Nelson Monfort, honoured the finish with his presence and his eloquence. Patron of the race for 10 years, he did not fail to put on a show at the finish with his commentary and interviews in French and English. Having had all the greatest sportspeople in the world on his microphone, he talks about ski mountaineering, and more particularly the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel, with full knowledge: in 2012, he completed the climb in 1h20min50s. An evening that will remain etched in the memory of the participants and spectators, who could not believe their eyes at rubbing shoulders with this celebrity, earning him many selfies and autographs before the results were announced.

Swann Juillaguet and Véronique Lathuraz big winners

One week before the kick-off of the 35th edition of the Pierra Menta, a few participants came for one last intensity session on this Vertical Race course, like Swann Juillaguet, a member of the club Courchevel Sports Outdoor. Compared to the “Rafael Nadal of ski mountaineering” by Nelson Monfort, he won for the first time this season in 23min43s. He finished ahead of Sébastien Bedu of the Tignes sports club, who, in 24min26s, achieved his goal: beating 25 minutes. Frédéric Perrin of Caf Albertville completed the podium in 25min15s.

3rd success of the season for Véronique Lathuraz of the Méribel sports club, winner in 33min02s ahead of Marilyne Texier (Caf Faverges) in 33min50s and Mélanie Batchelor (Courchevel Sports Outdoor) in 35min53s.
In the ESF challenge, victories for Dimitri Lobadowsky of ESF Belle Plagne in 31min29s and Armelle Favre of ESF Pralognan in 37min19s.

In the provisional overall standings, no change, with still at the front Rémi Bonnet (21min20s), Xavier Gachet (21min37s) and Gédéon Pochat (22min02s) among the men, Axelle Gachet-Mollaret (25min45s), Jessica Pardin (27min17s) and Marianna Jagercikova (27min49s) among the women. The leading trios in the ESF Challenge are, for the male instructors, Joris Perillat Pessey (ESF La Clusaz) in 22min34s, Alexis Sévennec (ESF Morzine) in 22min38s, Thibault Anselmet (ESF Bonneval sur Arc) in 22min38s and, for the female instructors, Emily Harrop (ESF Plagne Aime 2000) in 28min14s, Laura Deplanche (ESF La Toussuire) in 28min44s and Candice Bonnel (ESF Valmorel) in 29min27s.

Monday 9 March, final of the Plum MOONtain Races Courchevel. To conclude this season with a bang, it will take place on the day of the Supermoon, “only” 357,122 kilometres from the earth. Immediately afterwards, on Wednesday 11 March, the 13th and penultimate round of the MSTC will be held, offering a chance for pure amateurs to snap up the top podium places in the absence of the discipline’s top dogs, who are tied up at the Pierra Menta. For this season 10 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, fancy dress will be the order of the day, although some will keep the competitive spirit. Many surprises will add colour to this exceptional evening. The start of the cascade race is set for 6 pm. Spectators can come and cheer on the runners and admire their costumes, making use of the Le Praz gondola, free for the occasion and exceptionally open until 9 pm, to reach the finish and then return to Le Praz to attend the festivities, which will begin at 8 pm with the official prize-giving and the buffet. From 9 pm, Shy’m and her troupe will set the place on fire amid glitter and confetti. The concert is open to all, participants and spectators.

The number of places is limited for the final.
Participant rates ► €15 for participants in fancy dress and €25 for those not in fancy dress (race and buffet included)
Spectator rates ► €25 without buffet and €35 with buffet

Next dates:
Plum MOONtain Races Courchevel: Monday 9 March
Millet Ski Touring Courchevel: Wednesday 11 March