Act 3 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 27 December 2023

Full moon for the last Millet Ski Touring Courchevel of 2023

A year 2023 rich in events that ends in style. It was under a magnificent full moon that the 3rd round of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel took place this Wednesday 27 December. For the occasion, a “Plum” special, a partner binding brand, enlivened the “Full Moon” evening with a draw of a pair of Plum bindings among all the participants. You had to be very lucky to stand out among the 159 contenders. Jonathan Nivière, a loyal competitor, was the lucky recipient. This last round of the year was marked by the return of the holidaymakers. An appointment that has become unmissable for regulars who return every season to measure themselves against the previous season, or an opportunity for novices to discover the discipline in an exceptional setting with a friendly atmosphere maintained for 14 years by Guillaume Prin, president of Courchevel Sports Outdoor Montagne, and his whole team.

First title for Victor Moreau, return to the podium for Clémence David

This 3rd round was won in 26min22s by Victor Moreau who opens his list of wins after the 3.2 km and 500 m of elevation gain between Courchevel Le Praz and Courchevel 1850. He managed to build a comfortable gap over Jules Creuzet (CSMAB), second in 27min46s, and Guillaume Vieux Janton (MSM), 3rd in 28min11s.

In the women’s race, Clémence David recorded a second victory in 31min46s after the one on 1 March 2023, improving her personal best. She won ahead of the 2 members of Maurienne Ski Alpinisme, Marie Dauphin (34 minutes) and Coralie Desages (34min20s). A special mention to the youngest of the day, Jeanne Trossat, 8 years old, who completed the course in 1h03min56s.

The overall standings are still dominated by Thibault Anselmet in 21min21s and Emily Harrop in 25min25s.

The Ultra Ski Touring Courchevel – Millet Everest 2024

Two seasoned Himalayan climbers, members of the organising club Courchevel Sports Outdoor, were in the field. Jonathan Lamy, 6th in 29min07s, climbed Annapurna (alt. 8,091 m) last spring after having already climbed Everest twice, Lhotse, Manaslu and Makalu. Stéphane Pfend, director of the Courchevel ski area, after tackling Manaslu (alt. 8,163 m) this autumn, posted a time of 37min05s. They will be at the start on 2 and 3 March of the 3rd edition of the Ultra Ski Touring Courchevel “Millet Everest 2024”, a highly anticipated competition held every 2 years and limited to 100 bibs. It will take 9,000 m of elevation gain on the Millet Ski Touring course (3.2 km / 500 m of elevation gain), i.e. 18 climbs for a total of 57.6 km with 9,000 m of elevation gain, to reach the altitude of the summit of Everest (8,849 m) as quickly as possible starting from sea level (only the climbs are timed within the allotted time).

This one-of-a-kind adventure will take place over 2 days. The 1st day will start at 9 am and finish at 7 pm. In these first 10 hours of racing, 5,000 m of elevation gain must be achieved in order to continue the ascent the next day. After this feat, the competitors will arrive at the virtual 1st Everest base camp. They will have to spend the night in their tent in the start area at Courchevel Le Praz before setting off again for the final ascent in under 8 hours, from 7.30 am until 3.30 pm, the cut-off time, to complete the last 4,000 m of elevation gain.

Next date: Millet Ski Touring Courchevel on Wednesday 3 January 2024