Round 11 - MILLET SKI TOURING COURCHEVEL - Wednesday 25 February 2026

The most spectacular final in the history of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel.

This 16th season of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel (MSTC) was a little shorter, but particularly intense, with undiminished fervour. It began on the alternative course linking Courchevel 1850 to the top of the Loze relay for three rounds before returning to its official route between Courchevel Le Praz and Courchevel 1850.

The season was punctuated by several highlights: the organisation of the Ski Mountaineering World Cup in mid-January, featuring a Vertical Race counting as the 5th round of the MSTC, the 2 “Plum” specials during the full-moon weeks, and the Dynastar “Mercredi Gras” operation, marked by a record 320 participants at the penultimate stage, not forgetting the traditional events (Christmas, New Year’s Day, Epiphany and Candlemas).

In total, eight rounds were validated on the official course (3.2 km and 500 m of elevation gain), with 1,335 different competitors ranked from 2,081 starts and 33 nations represented. Three additional climbs were held on the alternative course (445 starts and 332 ranked participants).

A record turnout and spectacular costumes for the final

Over 16 editions, 237 rounds have been run. 29,411 athletes have climbed, every Wednesday of the winter, this legendary course that has become a world reference in Vertical Race (VR) for ski touring enthusiasts. International elites, specialists, amateurs and newcomers rub shoulders there to break records, fine-tune their fitness or simply enjoy themselves.

For the grand final, conviviality and festivity take priority with the traditional costume parade that delights the spectators. Under a generous sun and spring-like temperatures, this Wednesday 25 February recorded a record turnout: more than 800 competitors crowded onto the start area.

Imagination was in full force as competitors tried to win the trophy for best costume of 2026, a prize awarded by the company Deguisetoi.fr. The jury, chaired by Léa Rodriguez, communications manager of the partner brand, finally rewarded Maëva Morel-Jean, a lifeguard at Aquamotion, for her impressive giant bouquet of flowers costume. The choice was not an easy one, so creative were the entries.

A 9th title for Axelle Gachet-Mollaret

While most participants put good spirits before the clock in the final, some athletes were determined to shine sportingly.

In the women’s race, Louise Trincaz almost matched her best time with 28 min 41 s. She finishes ahead of Louna Dupont, second in 29 min 03 s (personal best) and Louise Rigaud, third in 30 min 14 s. In the places of honour, Perrine Abadie in 30 min 38 s and the Australian Ava McCann in 31 min 27 s did not disgrace themselves.

In the overall standings of this 16th season, the undisputed dominance of Axelle Gachet-Mollaret was confirmed. After making a mark in the 5th round, held as part of the World Cup, with a time of 23 min 40 s, the reigning Vertical Race world champion claims her 9th title, just 2 seconds off the race record she set in 2025.

Emily Harrop, Olympic champion in the mixed relay with Thibault Anselmet and Olympic sprint runner-up, takes second place in 24 min 21 s. The Austrian Sarah Dreier completes the podium in 25 min 08 s. The young Chamonix local Margot Ravinel, who represents the future of the discipline, just misses the podium in 25 min 40 s ahead of the Italian Giulia Murada.

Rémi Bonnet still at the top

In the men’s race, the World Cup Vertical Race lived up to all its promises. The big favourite, the Swiss Rémi Bonnet, reigning world champion and holder of the race record in 19 min 47 s, wins the Raymond and René Millet Crystal Trophy for the 6th time; they are the founders of the partner company Millet.

His compatriot Aurélien Gay, 2025 world bronze medallist in Vertical Race, takes second place in 21 min 08 s ahead of the Olympic sprint champion at the Milano-Cortina Games, the Spaniard Oriol Cardona Coll credited with a time of 21 min 12 s. The Swiss Paul Verbnjak (21 min 13 s) and the French Vertical Race champion Samuel Equy (21 min 25 s) complete the top 5.

In the final round of the season, the American Jack Kuenzle writes his name on the MSTC roll of honour in 22 min 21 s. To complete the podium, the fight was fierce between 2 young U18 athletes. In the end, Paul Sulpice in 24 min 42 s finished ahead of Victor Josselin in 24 min 48 s. A fine performance from Stéphane Pierron Daumas, 6th in 26 min 11 s, representing the company Millet.

Emily Harrop celebrates her medals… in a banana costume with Ofenbach

This 16th final was also an opportunity to celebrate the Olympic medals of Emily Harrop, a member of the club Courchevel Sports Outdoor. To thank her fan club, who had supported her at the Milano-Cortina Games dressed in banana costumes, the champion herself turned up dressed as a banana for the race.

The evening continued at L’Envolée with the French duo Ofenbach at the controls in front of more than 2,000 people. An explosive, immersive and resolutely futuristic finale, probably the most spectacular in the history of the Millet Ski Touring Courchevel finals.

Buoyed by this enthusiasm, the 17th edition is already shaping up under the best auspices. It will begin on Wednesday 4 March 2026 before continuing in December 2026. Who will wear the yellow jerseys during the off-season?

Official 2026 overall standings:

Men:
1: Rémi Bonnet (Switzerland) > 20min02s
2: Aurélien Gay (Switzerland) > 21min08s
3: Oriol Cardona Coll (Spain) > 21min12s
4: Paul Verbnjak (Switzerland) > 21min13s
5: Samuel Equy > 21min25s

Women:
1: Axelle Gachet Mollaret > 23min40s
2: Emily Harrop > 24min21s
3: Sarah Dreier (Austria) > 25min08s
4: Margot Ravinel > 25min40s
5: Giulia Marada (Italy) > 25min43s

U16 categories: Emma Carcey-Collet > 39min55s / Sam Prémat > 26min17s
U18 categories: Mathilde Gillet > 31min03s / Paul Sulpice > 24min42s
U20 categories: Cidan Yuzhen (China) > 27min35s / Jules Odile > 24min16s
U23 categories: Thibe Deseyn (Switzerland) > 26min31s / Nils Oberauer (Austria) > 22min08s
O24 categories: Axelle Gachet Mollaret > 23min40s / Rémi Bonnet (Switzerland) > 20min02s
O40 categories: Corinne Favre > 29min46s / William Bon Mardion > 23min11s
O60 categories: Sylvie Turbil > 34min15s / Michel Sibuet Becquet > 30min37s