Act 3 - DYNAFIT MOONtain RACES COURCHEVEL - 20 August 2013

3rd stage of the Dynafit MOONtain Races Courchevel for Romain Savoyen and Sylvie Murat.

A magnificent full moon appeared above the Vanoise glaciers at the start of the 3rd stage of the Dynafit MOONtain Races Courchevel this Tuesday 20 August. Begun on 25 June, this 9.3 km night trail (100 m of descent and 800 m of elevation gain), held every full-moon Tuesday evening from Courchevel Moriond, is rather original with its finish high in the mountains at the Grand Plan refuge, at an altitude of 2,280 m. The 98 participants entered this Tuesday were able to enjoy an exceptional panorama lit by moonbeams. On reaching the refuge they savoured the good soup from the cauldron and the mountain buffet concocted by Lionel Blanc, the refuge keeper, with his whole team, as well as Breton crêpes offered by Hervé Lamer. This Breton runner, who loves this race, does not hesitate to cross France to live this adventure in an extraordinary atmosphere. “It’s made in Courchevel and you only find such organisation here,” as Florent Perrier pointed out on his arrival, having taken part in other similar events in cycling and ski mountaineering organised in the resort.

In this atmosphere, Romain Savoyen, who came specially from Paris by train, won this Tuesday 20 August in 53min34s, and to make the most of the mountain he treated himself to a short night at the refuge to admire the next day a breathtaking landscape at sunrise, with an unrivalled view of Mont Blanc and the Vanoise National Park. The 2008 individual ski mountaineering world champion, Florent Perrier, took second place in 54min48s and Adrien Perret of the VTT Chartreuse team completed the podium in 56min24s.

In the women’s race, Sylvie Murat won in 1h09min09s ahead of Oriane Miton in 1h16min11s and Aurélie Carlin in 1h17min49s.

With a time of 48min22s, Julien Rancon keeps the provisional record of the season, and in the women’s race Stéphanie Duc stays at the top of the women’s standings in 59min49s.

The final of the Dynafit MOONtain Races Courchevel 2013 will take place on Tuesday 17 September.

It will be the last chance for everyone who wants to improve their time, take the record, or simply come and have a good time and put their name in the 2013 standings of the Dynafit MOONtain Races Courchevel.

To celebrate this final climb, registration will be free for all participants who come in fancy dress. At the prize-giving, the official records of the season will be rewarded with prize money of €500 and a full Dynafit outfit. The association France Skyrunning will also award the title of 2013 Alps Skyrunning champion to the best men’s and women’s times over the whole season.