The second stage of the World Cup is won by sheer determination of the younger athletes.

Sun and chill marked the second stage of the Ski Mountaineering World Cup, which took place in Gavarnie, France.
This small ski resort on the eastern side of the High Pyrenees, a world heritage site, is so surprising that the landscape could be described as "Alpine". High rocky mountains stage in the background with a thick layer of snow covering the peaks set at 1800 meters of altitude.

Sunshine and clear skies were bright through this morning, but the temperature was really tough, -12 ° Celsius at the moment the race started. It was a wonderful track, but the snow was rock-hard.
An applause goes to the volunteers who did an outstanding job in preparing the track with their shovels on the toughest and most dangerous hills, adding strips to allow a safe passage for the athletes.

Yesterday, the 'sprint' test established the ranking for the race start. The top ranking from the sprint race started today separated progressively, according to their placement.

Switzerland dominated the first ranks with top placements for four out of six athletes. In the men's category the pole position went to Marcel Marti (Switzerland), followed by
Alexandre Pellicier (France) and Martin Anthamatten (Switzerland). For the women Nathalie Etzensperger and Gabrielle Magnenat (Switzerland) arrived first and second, and third
place went to Laetitia Roux (France). Mirela Miro Varela, who won the first World Cup race, held in Pelvoux, started behind and had to chase the leading group.

This was the start ranking order, but it changed after a few hundred meters.

From a low position the unpredictable Matteo Eydallin , one of the best Italian athletes, quickly burned the one minute gap that separated him from the racer in first position. Matteo, disappointed and angry about his not-exactly-exciting performance the day before (also because of a few too many shoves he received at the skins change), bit the bullet and triumphed with a twenty second lead ahead of second classified, William Bon Mardion (France). Bon Marion, however, with his 180 points remains first ranking in the championship. Eydallin with this victory reaches third place at 160 points, preceded by only 2 points by Martin Anthamatten (Switzerland).

Jornet Burgada Killian, who won the first stage, had a bad fall during a downhill portion and withdrew from the race, thus compromising the rest of the Cup. For him, at this point, the championship is a very difficult goal as he scores currently only 100 points .

The excellent performance of the young Roberto Antonioli (Italy) must be mentioned. Roberto this year moved into the Senior Men category and he reaches an amazing 4th place overall, confirming that he is a great promise for international ski mountaineering.

For the Senior Women category, Laetitia Roux must catch up with two rivals who precede her in the first climb. Mirela Miro Varela reaches her too, and they proceed together almost along half the race. In the second downhill portion the Spanish athlete falls hard, breaking her poles and injuring her right hand. Laetitia grabs the opportunity to take a good position and easily wins the second stage, earning the top rank in the standings in a tie with Miro Varela. Miro Varela nevertheless finished the race at second place.

Alberto Stedile
External Relations and Communications
Via Dordi, 4 - 38122 Trento (Italia)
fax +39 0461.1725626 - cell +39 337 458477
e-mail: astedile@ismf-ski.org