ACT 2 - PLUM MOONtain RACES COURCHEVEL - Friday 14 February 2020

New records for Yoann Sert and Corinne Favre in the 2nd Plum MOONtain Races Courchevel

Originally scheduled for Monday 10 February, a full-moon day, the second round of the Plum MOONtain Races had to be moved to Friday 14 February, Valentine’s Day, because of a strong storm that swept the top of the ski area. For the occasion, registration was free for all couples, who were thus able to immortalise this evening in a very original way: a ski touring outing under the stars. After 4.8 km and 820 m of elevation gain starting from the Courchevel Village snow front to reach the Col de la Loze (alt. 2,304 m), an excellent soup from the cauldron, complemented by a Savoyard buffet at the mountain restaurant “Le 1928”, awaited the 64 participants at the finish, before the magnificent torchlit descent supervised by the ESF instructors.

Perfect conditions for this 2nd round allowed Yoann Sert to score a double by winning the round and taking the lead in the provisional overall standings in a time of 36min53s. A finish at the Col de la Loze that he knows well because, last summer, he distinguished himself brilliantly in cycling by taking the 2019 Eiffage Col de la Loze Time Trial Trophy. For second place, Yoann Caillot in 39min11s won at the finish ahead of Florian Sautel with only 39 hundredths of a second in hand. In the provisional overall standings, 34 seconds separate Yoann Sert, Joris Perillat Pessey and Gédéon Pochat, which promises a high-flying final.

In the women’s race, Corinne Favre confirmed her current supremacy in 47min23s, thereby improving her initial performance by more than 1 minute. Candice Bonnel took second place in 48min28s ahead of Sonia Brussoz (50min18s). Fine performances that allow the 3 winners to monopolise the provisional overall podium.

Valentine’s Day for Candice Bonnel and Florian Sautel.

In the ESF challenge, a clean sweep for ESF Valmorel thanks to its young lovebirds Florian Sautel and Candice Bonnel, who won this Valentine’s special. For the occasion, an illuminated heart had been drawn on the finish line and all the winners were rewarded with a lovely baby bodysuit humorously screen-printed by the binding brand “Plum”, partner of the event. A lovely gift that may serve in a few months to equip future champions.

This 1st edition of the Plum MOONtain Races Courchevel 2020 will be played out over 3 rounds, with the final scheduled for Monday 9 March. This grand finish coincides with the day of the Supermoon, which will be only 357,122 kilometres from the earth. The battle promises to be tough for this last round of the season. The standings are not fixed at present because, even though this race is open to all, the field of these Plum MOONtain Races Courchevel is strong. After these 3 ski mountaineering climbs, the winners will be rewarded with prize money of €300, €200 and €100 respectively.

Next dates of the Plum MOONtain Races Courchevel: Final on Monday 9 March.