ROUND 7 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Thursday 11 and Saturday 13 February 2021

Julien Chorier on the bill at the 7th Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2021

The new Millet Everest concept is attracting followers among ultra-endurance enthusiasts. This challenge will consist of completing 9,000 m of elevation gain on ski touring equipment on the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel course (3.2 km / 500 m elevation gain), i.e. 18 climbs (57.6 km / 9,000 m of elevation gain), to reach the altitude of the summit of Everest (8,849 m) starting from sea level, as quickly as possible (only the climbs will be timed within the allotted time). It will take place over 2 days, on 20 and 21 March, in parallel with the MSTC fancy-dress final scheduled for Sunday 21 March between 10 am and 3 pm.

But before lining up for this crazy event, potential candidates are required to calibrate themselves on the Millet 3000 Challenge. This event consists of completing 6 climbs in under 5 hours, representing 3,000 m of elevation gain, during the race hours set aside for the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel, i.e. between 10 am and 3 pm. The times achieved serve as the basis for qualification for the ultimate challenge. In the end, only the 70 best M3000 performances will be selected (60 for men and 10 for women).

Trail running specialist, and especially ultra trail specialist, Julien Chorier, two-time winner of “La Diagonale des Fous” (163 km, 9,600 m of elevation gain), winner of the Ultra Trail du Mont Fuji (156 km, 8,530 m of elevation gain), the Madeira Island Ultra Trail (115 km, 6,800 m of elevation gain), the Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run (160 km, 11,000 m of elevation gain), La Ronda del Cims (178 km, 13,000 m of elevation gain) and the Verbier X-Alpine (111 km, 8,400 m of elevation gain), was at the start this Saturday 13 February. Although ski touring is not his strong point, he turned in a fine first climb in 30min19s, good for 8th place in this 7th round of the MSTC. He then strung together the other 5 climbs, pacing himself and with ease, between 34 and 36 minutes. “I don’t ski tour very often, but this format suits me perfectly. It’s very good preparation for my next ultra trail, the ‘Trans Gran Canaria’, which will take place in 2 weeks in the Canary Islands, before coming to take on the ‘Millet Everest’ and probably the Dynastar X3 extraordinary triathlon,” he said at the finish.

This challenge is generating growing appeal, with 35 athletes already pre-selected from the Millet 3000. Last Thursday, Jonathan Lamy of the Courchevel Sports Outdoor club took provisional 3rd place in only his second participation in this challenge. Note that after the “Millet Everest”, Jonathan will fly to Nepal on 4 April to attempt the actual ascent of the Roof of the World.

Jonathan Battuz and Clémence David win the 7th round of the MSTC

This new challenge, conceived in this exceptional year, introduces long-distance enthusiasts to this now legendary Vertical Race course and boosts season 11 of the MSTC.

Since 30 December, rounds have followed one another, adapting to health restrictions. This year, there is no gathering at 6 pm every Wednesday, no headlamps, no good cauldron soup before the prize-givings, but there is still the chance to pin on a bib, to have a goal, to push yourself and to enjoy yourself, while counting on the professionalism and quality of the organisers.

This 7th round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel 2021 was held on Thursday 11 (exceptionally postponed by a day because of the weather conditions) and Saturday 13 February. Among the 77 competitors, Clémence David came out on top among the women in 32min25s, a time that puts her at the door of the provisional overall top 10. She was followed by Caroline Rainieri (37min18s), her 3rd podium in 6 climbs, and Julie Lacrevaz (37min51s), who dropped out halfway through the Millet 3000 Challenge. Among the men, Jonathan Battuz took the honours in 27min04s after a close fight with Eric David, second in 27min18s, and Yann Rivallant, third in 28min02s.

The last 5 rounds of this 11th season promise to be very exciting, with the participation of many renowned athletes whose names will be revealed over the coming weeks.

Next dates: Round 8: Wednesday 17 and Saturday 20 February from 10 am to 3 pm